Lüliang, China — Bishop Anthony Ji Weizhong was officially installed as the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Lüliang in Shanxi province during a solemn ceremony at the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. The ordination, conducted under the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Vatican and China—recently renewed for another four years in October 2024—marks the 11th bishop appointed since the landmark 2018 pact.
A New Diocese and Historical Context
The Diocese of Lüliang replaces the former Diocese of Fenyang, established in 1946 but dissolved due to shifting administrative boundaries and decades of tensions between the Vatican and Beijing. With a population of 3.35 million, including approximately 20,000 Catholics, the new diocese reflects efforts to align Church structures with Chinese state regulations.
Profile of the New Bishop
Bishop Ji Weizhong, 51, a native of Wenshui, Shanxi, studied theology at the Beijing National Seminary and Germany’s Sankt Augustin University. Prior to his appointment, he served as an associate pastor and vicar general of the former Fenyang Diocese. His ordination succeeds the legacy of Bishop John Huo Cheng, who endured 14 years of imprisonment during China’s Cultural Revolution.
Significance of the Vatican-China Agreement
The 2018 Provisional Agreement, focused on bishop appointments, ended decades of conflict after China halted unilateral ordinations without papal approval. Under the pact, Beijing nominates candidates, but the Vatican retains final approval, restoring communion between Chinese bishops and the Holy See.
Future of Bilateral Relations
The agreement’s third renewal (2024-2028) signals continued dialogue despite challenges, including China’s "Sinicization of religion" policies and state oversight of religious activities. However, positive steps—such as Chinese bishops attending international events like the Synod of Bishops and World Youth Day—hint at growing cooperation.
Closing
Bishop Ji’s ordination advances reconciliation between the Vatican and China while underscoring the Catholic Church’s evolving role in the complex socio-political landscape of the world’s most populous nation.