A Chinese bishop has reportedly been arrested after objecting to decisions made by a communist-sponsored leader in his diocese without his approval.

Bishop Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou last week, according to Asia News.

The 61-year-old bishop is not recognised by the Chinese government, because he has refused to register with the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA), the Communist-party controlled church.

The Chinese government has instead named Fr. Ma Xianshi, a member of the CPCA, as the head of the diocese.

Shao has been routinely detained around holidays, in order to block him from celebrating Mass on major liturgical feasts.

In this case, however, he was taken into custody over Christmas, but arrested a week later, after he penned a letter objecting to changes in the diocese made by Fr. Ma while he was away.

His current whereabouts are unknown.