China’s first bishop ordained after renewal in agreement with the Vatican

This Friday the episcopal ordination of China’s first bishop took place after the latest renewal of the agreement with the Vatican.

“Today, Friday, October 25, the episcopal ordination of Rev. Matteo Zhen Xuebin took place, whom the Holy Father, on August 28, 2004, appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Beijing” in China, notes a statement from the Vatican Press Office.

The text specifies that “his candidacy was approved within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.”

The Vatican and China agreement

The Vatican renewed its agreement with China on the appointment of Catholic bishops on October 22.

Unlike the previous opportunities (2020 and 2022), this extension is not for two but for four years, so the agreement will be valid until October 22, 2028.

The renewal occurs after a report which details that seven Chinese bishops have been detained without due process, while others have experienced pressure, surveillance and police investigations since the Vatican – China agreement was first signed in September 2018.

He statement of October 22, the Vatican notes that “the Vatican side remains with the intention of continuing the respectful and constructive dialogue with the Chinese side, for the development of bilateral relations with a view to the good of the Catholic Church in the country and the entire world.” Chinese people.”

The terms of the agreement have not been made public until now, although Pope Francis said in 2023 that it includes a joint commission between the Chinese government and the Vatican for the appointment of Catholic bishops, overseen by Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin .

What is a coadjutor bishop in the Catholic Church?

According to the Code of Canon Lawa coadjutor bishop assists the diocesan bishop in the same way as an auxiliary bishop does, that is, as a collaborator under his authority.

The Pope appoints a coadjutor bishop at the request of the diocesan bishop or when he deems it appropriate. This appointment usually occurs when the diocesan is about to resign or when he or she has some impediment to continuing with the pastoral government, such as a health problem.

The main difference between the coadjutor and the auxiliary is that the former has the automatic right of succession when the diocesan reaches 75 years of age, the age established for the retirement of bishops.

Who is the new Coadjutor Bishop of Beijing?

Bishop Matteo Zhen Xuebin is the new Coadjutor Bishop of Beijing. He was born in Changzhi (Shanxi), on May 10, 1970. He is 54 years old.

The Vatican reports that between 1988 and 1993 he studied at the Philosophical and Theological Seminary of Beijing; and then studied, between 1993 and 1997, at St. John’s University (United States), where he obtained a degree in Liturgy.

He was ordained a priest on June 25, 1998, incardinating himself in the Archdiocese of Beijing. Between 1998 and 2007 he was vice-rector of the Beijing Seminary, has worked in some parishes in the capital of China and has been archdiocesan chancellor since 2007.