China investigate rogue bishop

China's state-controlled Catholic church is investigating the ordination of a bishop who announced he was quitting the government body.

The departure was a major embarrassment to Beijing.

Shanghai's auxiliary Bishop Ma Daqin stated he was leaving the Catholic Patriotic Association at the end of his ordination ceremony on Saturday.

Bishop Ma's announcement was greeted with applause by hundreds of worshippers and marked the biggest public challenge to Beijing's control over the Catholic clergy.

Bishop Ma has not been seen since and it is believed he is being held in isolation at a seminary.

A brief statement from the Patriotic Association said it was investigating violations of regulations.

Beijing and the Holy See have no formal relations and the Vatican does not recognise the Catholic Patriotic Association.