SHENZHEN, China, AUG. 30, 2007 (Zenit.org).- The chancellor of the Wenzhou Diocese has been released after 11 months of detainment.
Father Paolo Jiang Sunian was released last Friday, AsiaNews reported.
Father Jiang and the diocese's vicar general, Father Peter Shao Zhumin, 46, were arrested together in Shenzhen in September 2006, shortly after their return from a pilgrimage to Europe. No motive was given at the time of their arrest.
Six months later, the priests were charged with "illegal exit."
Father Jiang was sentenced to 11 months in prison. Father Shao was sentenced to nine months, but was released on parole in May due to health problems.
Both Father Shao and Father Jiang had previously been imprisoned, the first time in 1999, AsiaNews reported.
Bishop James Lin Xili of Wenzhou was also arrested in 1999 and is still confined to the grounds of the official cathedral.
ZE07083005 - 2007-08-30