Beijing Hides the Body of Bishop Cosma Shi Enxiang: Too "Dangerous"

AsiaNews ^ | 2/9/15 | Bernardo Cervellera

[marshmallow]

The underground bishop of Yixian disappeared in police custody in 2001. In late January news of his death spread. But authorities denied the reports. Family members await his corpse or ashes. The long list of underground bishops who have died in prison after torture. The government is terrified of possible demonstrations at his funeral. The visit of Yu Zhengsheng, "number four" from Baoding Politburo. Out of his 93 years of life, Bishop Shi spent 54 years in prison because of his fidelity to the Church and the Pope.

Rome (AsiaNews) - Very "dangerous." Very "worrying": This is how Hebei Catholics comment on the attitude of the Beijing authorities surrounding the death of Bishop Cosma Shi Enxiang, ascertained on 30 January, but retracted a few days ago. The family of the prelate - who disappeared in police custody in April 2001 - are still waiting to be handed over his body or at least his ashes.

Msgr. Shi, 93, underground bishop of Yixian (Hebei) was arrested April 13, 2001, a Friday, in the home of his niece in Beijing and held in an unknown location without trial or charge. In all these years family members regularly asked authorities for some news of their relative, but they never got any response. On January 30, an employee of the city of Baoding, the village chief of Shizhuang, questioned again by family, let slip that the bishop had died.

Speaking to UCANews agency, the niece of the bishop, Shi Chunyan, said: " We are now waiting for the prelate, whether it be his body or ashes, to be returned to Shizhuang, our hometown, before we decide what to do next." To date, however, the corpse of the bishop has not been handed over.

Meanwhile, across China news of the death of Msgr. Shi Enxiang has.....

[BlatherNaut]

Requiascat in pace.

[pke]

Holy martyr pray for us! All holy martyrs pray for us!

[Kolokotronis]

May his memory be eternal!