A bishop who has resisted demands to join China’s Communist Party-controlled church body has been taken into custody, a Catholic news service reported, despite recent moves by Beijing and the Holy See toward reconciliation.

Asia News reported that Bishop Shao Zhumin was kidnapped by police for a period of interrogation and indoctrination. Msgr. Shao, 55, appointed bishop by Pope Francis, belongs to the underground church, not recognized by the government, but he is recognized by the Holy See as bishop of Wenzhou. In the last two years, he has been taken away by the police at least 5 times. The last time was in May 2017, he was only released after 7 months.

As an “underground” bishop, in the periods of kidnapping he is coerced to submit to the religious policy of China, which requires registration with the government and membership of the Patriotic Association (PA). But membership of these bodies implies adhering to the project of an “independent” Church [from the Holy See], which Msgr. Shao refuses.