BEIJING / Vatican City: Three Chinese bishops who were been sentenced to life in prison for their steadfast faith and willingness to obey the Church, have passed away; the Vatican has confirmed. News of the deaths of three bishops in different months was released yesterday (23/05/20) by the Vatican Press Office. The Press Office notes that the bishops were in prison for their loyalty to the Church and the Holy See, and that perhaps they had done the forced labor in the labor camps.
Andrea Jin Duan, former bishop of Changsi diocese, Giuseppe Ma Nel, former bishop of Yinchuan diocese, and Joseph Suu Bau, former bishop of Nanyang diocese passed away in prison. Bishop Andrea Jean Dowan’s death was the 20th of November, 2019. He was ordained to the priesthood in Beijing, the capital of China, in 1956 and worked tirelessly to build a number of places of worship in his diocese and to promote the call of God among believers.
He was jailed during anti-church violence. Bishop Andrea had to spend 13 years in prison. The appointment of Giuseppe Mae Nell, bishop of the Yinchuan diocese, was formally refused by the Chinese government. He was forced to work in a labor camp because he refused to join a government-controlled church. He died on 23 March. Joseph Suu Bayou, bishop emeritus of the Nanyang diocese, also spent several years in prison. His funeral, which took place on May 7, took place on the 9th.
Currently, the official church of China is a government-controlled society. This community is known as the Patriotic Catholic Church. There is also an underground church that is affiliated with the Vatican. The agreement came into force in September 2018 with regard to the unification of the Chinese government with the Patriotic Church and the lower church recognizing the sovereignty of the Vatican. But even after the agreement, believers and clergy in the secret church are forced to be part of a government-sanctioned church. Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Sen has criticized the move.
