Fr Paolo Liu Honggang was ordained bishop of the Datong Diocese in China’s Shanxi province yesterday. Source: EWTN News.
The Holy See said Pope Leo XIV appointed Fr Liu Bishop of Datong on August 10 after approving his candidacy under the mechanisms established by the Vatican’s agreement with Beijing on the appointment of bishops.
The ordination is the third episcopal consecration in China in just two months and the sixth to take place during Leo’s pontificate, although not all six episcopal appointments originated under the current pope.
One of the six prelates had already been ordained a bishop in 2017, while two others were initially selected unilaterally by Chinese authorities during the sede vacante between the death of Pope Francis and the election of Leo. The new pope subsequently approved their appointments.
Liu was born November 2, 1970, in Wufuying village near Taiyuan, the capital of Shanxi province.
He began his priestly formation at the Fenyang seminary, where he studied from 1988 to 1992. He later attended the National Seminary in Beijing from 1992 to 1996, earning a bachelor’s degree in theology.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Datong on November 24, 1996.
Following his ordination, Fr Liu served as pastor of Zhangguantun from December 1996 to 1999, Xubao from 2000 to 2003, and Xihehe from 2003 to 2005.
He had served as diocesan administrator of Datong since March 15, 2005.
The process leading to Bishop-elect Liu’s appointment and episcopal ordination took place entirely during Leo’s pontificate, providing another sign that the Pope intends to continue dialogue between Rome and Beijing.
FULL STORY
Sixth Chinese bishop ordained under Pope Leo XIV (By Victoria Cardiel, EWTN News)
