One of the Chinese “underground” bishops, who was asked by a Vatican delegation to stand aside for a government-backed prelate, has been detained by police. Asia News, the outlet of the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, reports that Bishop Vincent Guo Xijin of Mindong was taken, along with the diocesan chancellor, after refusing to concelebrate Mass with the government-backed bishop. Bishop Guo, who is recognised by the Vatican but not by the Chinese government, had recently been asked to make way for excommunicated bishop Vincent Zhan Silu. A Vatican delegation asked Bishop Guo to accept the position of auxiliary bishop under Bishop Zhan as part of a rumoured deal between the Holy See and Beijing. However, the Office for Religious Affairs reportedly summoned Bishop Guo to a meeting on Monday afternoon, after which he returned to his residence and packed luggage. He was then taken away at 10pm. The bishop was held in police custody for 20 days during the Easter season last year. But this time Bishop Guo was released in time to return to his church for Easter Sunday. He denied that he had actually been kidnapped, but con­firmed he had been taken to a nearby city by Communist Party officials for three days. “You can’t imagine a bishop leaving his church during Holy Week except under special circumstances,” Bishop Guo said. “I can’t say I was forced, but under certain circumstances there is no other option.” Chinese Catholics are currently split between those in the “underground” Church who remain loyal to Rome, and those in the Catholic Patriotic Association, which is backed by the government. The CPA has ordained several bishops without Vatican approval, causing them to be automatically excommunicated. A rumoured deal bet­ween Beijing and the Holy See would address the app­oint­ment of bishops, a lead to excommunicated bishops be­ing reconciled with the Pope. “According to the government we are illegal, so during this sensitive time they request us to be a bit more restrained,” Bishop Guo said. “There is contact between the government and Rome. We just need to wait. If the church and the government can reach agreement, then we will follow it,” he added. It is not yet known if Bishop Zhan’s excommunication has been lifted.