4. PRIESTLY CRIMES IN CHINA
A Sentence of "Reform Through Labor"
Father Charles Bo Le Guo, 58, is a Chinese Roman Catholic priest,
was accused of being a "counter-revolutionary" in 1956 and
sentenced to five years in prison. He was released early in 1957
when the government retracted the charges, but re-arrested in
December of the same year. He was sent to a labor camp in Qing Hai
province, where he was confined for 28 years without any charges
ever being filed against him. Published here is the Chinese
government's January 4, 1996 "Letter of decision " that, while
failing to mention his years of imprisonment, sentenced him to an
additional two years of "reform through labor." It reads, in part
"Guo...has carried out illegal evangelical work, offered Masses,
administered [the] Sacrament of the Sick, administered other
sacraments, promoted and supported the Roman Pontiff..."
THE PEOPLE'S GOVERNMENT OF SOOCHOW,
PROVINCE OF JIANGSU
REFORM THROUGH LABOR MANAGEMENT
COMMITTEE
REFORM THROUGH LABOR DECISION LETTER NO.96-020
GUO BO LE, Christian name, Charles, male, age 58, Sharighainese.
Race: Han.
Education Standard Attained: High school.
Work Unit: Liaoyang Middle School, Yangpu District of Shanghai,
(retired).
Current address: No. 6, 20th Section of Yangsi Town North Steet,
Shanghai.
Guo Bo Le was sentenced to 5 years imprisonment as a
counterrevolutionary in 1956 and was granted early release in
March 1957. In July, 1992, Guo was investigated by Changshou
Public Security Bureau for involvement in numerous illegal
religious activities. Subsequently, in September 1992, Guo was put
on bail, awaiting trial by Shanghai Public Security Bureau. Again,
on November 2,1995. Guo was arrested by Wuxian City Public
Security Bureau for conducting illegal religious activities and
disturbing the order of the society.
The investigation revealed the following crimes:
Since November 1981, Guo Bo Le joined and has been active in the
"underground" Catholic Jesuit secret organization, and received
theology instruction. From 1990, Guo has visited Wuxian City,
Xiang City, Taiping, Weitang, Changshou, Xu City, Xinzhuang, and
Yangytian districts, etc. and carried out illegal evangelical
work: offered Masses, administered Sacrament of the sick,
administered other sacraments, promoted and supported the Roman
Pontiff, instigated the people, boycotted the Patriotic
Association, established illegal "underground" evangelical
"church" centers, organized "underground" catechism instructions
and bible classes for primary and high school students, and thus
seriously disturbing the normal religious and normal religious and
social order.
In accordance with Code No. 2, Section 3 of People's Congress:
"Decision on Escapees, and Crimes of Former Labor Camp Prisoners
and Reform Detainers," it is now decided that Guo Bo Le be given 2
years of reform through labor. (a)
If one disagrees with this decision, an appeal may be filed with
the Management Committee within 15 days of this decision.
Seal: Reform Through Labor Management Committee of Soochow January
4, 1996.
Taken from the June/July 1996 issue of "Catholic International"
magazine.
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