Pope erects new diocese in China, names new bishop September 10, 2025By Cindy Wooden Catholic News Service Filed Under: News, Vatican, World News VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Pope Leo XIV formally suppressed two dioceses in China and erected a new one, which already had been operating without the Vatican’s consent. “With a desire to promote the pastoral care of the Lord’s flock and to attend more effectively to its spiritual well-being,” Pope Leo decided to suppress the dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi and to erect the new diocese of Zhangjiakou, the Vatican press office said Sept. 10. The two former dioceses had been established by Pope Pius XII in 1946. The Vatican press office said Pope Leo had made the decision July 8, the same day he had nominated as bishop of the new diocese Father Joseph Wang Zhengui, “having approved his candidacy within the framework of the provisional agreement” between the Vatican and the Chinese government. The provisional agreement, which has never been published, was first signed in 2018 and outlines procedures for ensuring that Catholic bishops elected by the Catholic community in China are approved by the pope before their ordinations or installations. The agreement was renewed in October 2024 for a four-year period. The new bishop, 62, received his episcopal ordination Sept. 10, the Vatican said. He had attended the provincial seminary in Hebei and was ordained to the priesthood May 24, 1990, for the Diocese of Xianxian. He later also ministered in the Diocese of Xuanhua. AsiaNews, a news agency promoted by the Pontifical Institute for Foreign Missions, had reported in May 2021 that the Chinese government already recognized Zhangjiakou as a diocese and that while not functioning as a bishop, Father Wang Zhengui already was coordinating pastoral activity there. Most of the territory of the two suppressed dioceses was incorporated into the new Diocese of Zhangjiakou, the Vatican said. Just over 4 million people live within the diocesan boundaries, and about 85,000 of them are Catholics, who are served by 89 priests. Zhangjiakou is about 125 miles northeast of Beijing. Read More Vatican News ANALYSIS: Will President Donald Trump’s criticism of Pope Leo XIV have electoral implications? Anglicans, Catholics must work to overcome differences, pope tells archbishop of Canterbury Pope Leo XIV advances sainthood causes, including Dutch nun who served in Missouri Pope Leo’s October meeting on marriage, family gains urgency amid declining birth rates in West Radio Interview: Pope Leo XIV’s biographer shares insights on the Augustinian who became pope Pope Leo to new priests: Keep Church door open, don’t be an obstacle Copyright © 2025 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops Print
