While pilgrims who visit the Vatican this year are eager to walk through the Holy Door, the Catholics who visit Chinese Bishop Vincent Guo must do so through a barred fence. The former servant of the “underground” church in China has been confined to his residence since around Christmas time, and recently passed cake slices through the bars to a few visitors in celebration of 40 years as a priest.
A report from Asia News has highlighted the struggles that Catholic priests still face under the stifling censorship and supervision of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Bishop Guo was originally named a bishop by Pope Benedict XVI, in 2008, but by 2018 he was repositioned as an auxiliary bishop as part of the provisional agreement between the Vatican and Beijing regarding episcopal appointments.
He was succeeded by Rev. Vincent Zhan Silu – who was at one time excommunicated for being named bishop by the CCP without a papal mandate, but has since been restored by Rome – as the bishop. In 2020, Bishop Guo resigned all his offices and retired to a life of prayer, yet five years later, he has been confined to his residence.
Asia News shared a video recorded recently on the 40th anniversary of his ordination. The few friends of his who were brave enough to make a visit were given cake through the barred fence, yet no one seemed to let that dampen their spirits. At night, the 67-year-old Guo celebrated Mass and passed the Eucharist to his parishioners, also through the bars.
The video also shows that the doors of Bishop Guo’s private chapel have been chained shut to prevent entry. In another clip, visitors can be seen passing rosaries, candles, and other religious objects through the bars so that they could be blessed by the bishop.
Asia News noted that local sources told the outlet that he has been confined since around Christmas time.
