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2025-03-20

• Non-Compliant Catholic Bishop Rearrested

  

  Peter Shao Zhumin, a Catholic priest who was appointed by Pope Benedict XVI as an auxiliary bishop, became the bishop of the Diocese of Wenzhou in 2016. However, over the years, Bishop Shao has stood in opposition to the dictates of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Not acknowledging its authority over the church, he refused to join the state-controlled Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association. In response, the official association appointed a different bishop to replace him; however, many members of the diocese do not recognize the association's appointment.

• Resignation of Judge Implicated in Blasphemy Entrapment

  

  On March 6th, Justice Chaudhry Abdul Aziz of the Lahore High Court unexpectedly resigned from his judicial post as a court official, effective immediately. The judge cited "personal issues" as the reason for his resignation.

• New Religion Law Takes Effect

  

  For the past several months, members of the Uzbek parliament have been deliberating over revisions to their existing religion laws. On June 26th, 2024, a draft law was published. Recently, as of February 21st, this new law officially came into effect. For more information, see this page.