Bishop jointly appointed by Vatican and Chinese government

Mgr Giuseppe Xing Wenzhi, 42 years, was today ordained auxiliary bishop of Shanghai. The prelate said publicly that he received the nomination of the Holy See. In future, he will able to take the place of Mgr Aloysius Jin Luxian, who is now nearly 90 and very ill. Mgr Xing studied in the United States and until today, he was vicar-general of the diocese.

With this move, the Chinese government hopes to find a way of healing the rift between the underground – unofficial – Church and the official Church, which is recognised and registered by the government.

For the Chinese government, accepting a bishop recognised by the Holy See, means setting a single point of reference for the official and underground communities.

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