Fr Ma Xianshi returns to Wenzhou after an 18-month sentence, as Chinese authorities increase pressure on both official and underground churches.
Newsroom (28/07/2026 Gaudium Press ) Hundreds of Catholics gathered to welcome Fr Ma Xianshi upon his release from prison on 22 July, marking the end of an 18-month sentence imposed for what authorities described as the public sale of religious books. His return has become a significant moment for the Diocese of Wenzhou and a reflection of mounting pressure on both official and underground Catholic communities across China.
Early in the morning, a large crowd assembled outside the Yiwu detention centre in Zhejiang province, where Fr Ma had been held. Although his scheduled release time had passed, supporters saw no sign of the priest emerging from the facility. Concerned family members and faithful approached officers for clarification and learned that prison authorities had transported him directly to a nearby police station, reportedly fearing that the gathering outside could create public order concerns.
Following negotiations, Fr Ma was eventually brought back in a police vehicle. More than one hundred supporters immediately greeted him with flowers before accompanying him to change clothes and have his hair cut. A convoy consisting of dozens of vehicles then escorted him on the journey back to his hometown of Wenzhou.
A Case That Drew Sustained Attention
Fr Ma was originally detained on 22 November 2024, the feast day of Saint Cecilia. During the lengthy legal process, his family reportedly concealed the circumstances of his detention from his nearly 90-year-old mother, who is seriously ill and bedridden. His brothers repeatedly told her that he was abroad studying and unable to return home.
The judicial proceedings surrounding the case generated uncertainty within the Catholic community. A hearing initially expected in early July 2025 was postponed until 17 November. During that period, according to accounts from informed sources, clergy, religious sisters and lay faithful experienced repeated pressure and questioning from authorities seeking testimony connected to the case.
Those familiar with the proceedings suggested that authorities initially believed the arrest would uncover broader wrongdoing. However, supporters argued that investigators struggled to substantiate additional allegations beyond the original charge.
At the centre of the case was an accusation of “illegal commercial activity” linked to the public sale of church hymnals. Fr Ma consistently maintained that the activity was not undertaken for personal profit and did not constitute a commercial enterprise. He refused to admit guilt or voluntarily accept the sentence throughout the judicial process.
His brother, Zhuang Qiantuan, who was arrested in connection with the same investigation, accepted responsibility for the alleged public sale of religious books and was released on bail pending trial on 13 February, allowing him to reunite with his family.
For months after Fr Ma’s trial, no verdict was publicly known. The absence of information fuelled speculation among parishioners, particularly because no judgment related to the case appeared on China’s online court verdict platform. Despite being removed from his role within Zhejiang’s provincial Catholic “Two Assemblies”, his status as the legal representative of the diocese reportedly remained unchanged.
Rumours about a possible early release circulated during the Chinese New Year period but ultimately proved unfounded. It was only about a month before his release that news emerged confirming an 18-month prison sentence. Fr Ma appealed the decision, but the higher court upheld the original judgment.
Celebration in Wenzhou Despite Restrictions
The welcome awaiting Fr Ma in Wenzhou reflected the depth of support he retains among local Catholics.
More than 400 faithful from the Lucheng area, where he had ministered for many years, gathered at the city’s main cathedral in anticipation of his return. Requests for him to preside over Mass inside the church were reportedly denied by authorities, who instead permitted the use of a large hall with a capacity of more than 200 people.
Despite those restrictions, clergy, religious sisters and parishioners succeeded in organising a thanksgiving Mass in the hall. Fr Ma presided over the celebration alongside three concelebrating priests.
Officials from the Religious Affairs Bureau were reportedly present during the release process. Family members alleged that government representatives had previously sought access to Fr Ma by obtaining visitation permissions and had attempted to persuade him to sign documents. At the time of his release, they also reportedly encouraged him to travel back to Wenzhou in a government-arranged vehicle and sought to direct the movements of family members travelling separately.
Leadership Questions and an Uncertain Future
Fr Ma has long occupied a prominent position within the official Catholic Church in Wenzhou. Sources familiar with diocesan affairs believe the charges against him were intended to remove him from leadership and weaken his influence within the local Church.
Questions remain regarding whether authorities will permit the renewal of his credentials as a recognised religious minister or whether church administrative bodies will revoke them. In the immediate future, however, Fr Ma is expected to focus on caring for his elderly mother, whose health has deteriorated during his imprisonment.
His leadership role has already been filled by Fr Hu Longjian, president of the local Catholic Patriotic Association.
Broader Crackdown Affecting Catholic Communities
Fr Ma’s case comes amid what clergy and faithful describe as an increasingly restrictive environment for religious activities in Zhejiang and other parts of China.
Two priests from Wenzhou’s underground Catholic community, identified as Fathers Gao and Wang, were recently subjected to administrative detention and fines. Both were released on 9 July but reportedly received warnings that future administration of sacraments could lead to criminal prosecution.
A priest from the Jiangnan underground Church stated that police and religious affairs authorities have intensified enforcement efforts against activities deemed illegal. According to his account, lawyers handling religion-related cases in some regions are required to submit detailed notifications and case documentation within five days of accepting representation.
Additional restrictions have also affected ordinary parish life. A Catholic parishioner from another municipality reported that minors are now prohibited from entering churches, making summer catechism programmes impossible to organise. When concerns were raised with local clergy, the response reportedly reflected a sense of powerlessness in the face of broader policy trends.
A Diocese Divided by History
The Diocese of Wenzhou, also known as Yongjia, is home to approximately 200,000 Catholics and has long been divided between official and underground communities.
Historically, each community maintained more than 40 priests and represented roughly half of the local Catholic population. In recent years, however, authorities have increased efforts to integrate or “transform” underground clergy.
Under these policies, priests from outside Wenzhou who decline to join the official Church reportedly cannot reside in the area. Local priests who refuse registration are barred from living in church properties or publicly administering the sacraments. Every parish is required to establish a Catholic Patriotic Association, while families hosting underground clergy for sacramental ministry can reportedly face fines of up to 200,000 yuan.
Today, the official Church in Wenzhou has nearly 50 priests and more than 40 nuns, while the underground community includes 24 priests and over 40 nuns from two religious congregations. The underground Church continues to recognise Bishop Shao Zhumin, who has himself been repeatedly deprived of liberty in recent years.
Fr Ma’s return has therefore become more than a personal homecoming. For many Catholics in Wenzhou, it serves as a symbol of resilience at a time when religious communities face growing scrutiny, tighter regulation and an increasingly uncertain future.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Asianews.it
