(Beijing – November 8, 2024) Matthew Zhen Xuebin, age 54, has become the new Coadjutor Bishop of Beijing as of October 25. He will assist Archbishop Joseph Li Shan, who has led the Catholic community in Beijing since 2007. Matthew Zhen Xuebin’s candidacy was approved within the framework of the provisional agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.
Appointment of New Coadjutor Bishop of Beijing
According to a statement from the Holy See’s Press Office, the consecration ceremony was held on October 25, with Pope Francis’s appointment of the bishop dating back to August 28 this year. “His candidacy was approved under the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.”
A solemn ordination ceremony took place on the morning of October 25 at the Cathedral of the Savior (Beitang) in Beijing. In his thanksgiving speech, the new Coadjutor Bishop acknowledged his own limitations for the role but accepted it with faith, saying, “I am grateful to the Lord for his grace in choosing me, a humble servant, as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Beijing. Because “I do all things for the sake of the Gospel.”
In the letter of approval, dated October 12 and read by Father Joseph Yang Yu, Secretary-General of the “College of Chinese Catholic Bishops,” it was stated: “This candidate has received the approval of the Pope.”
The ceremony was presided over by Archbishop Joseph Li Shan, with four other Chinese bishops participating in the celebration:
- Bishop Joseph Guo Jincai of the Chengde Diocese,
- Bishop John Baptist Li Suguang of the Nanchang Diocese,
- Bishop Peter Ding Lingbin of the Changzhi Diocese, and
- Bishop Antonio Yao Shun of Jining Diocese in Inner Mongolia.
Nearly 500 people attended the ordination ceremony, including approximately 130 priests, along with nuns, seminarians, and lay people from dioceses across the country.
Context of the Appointment: Vatican and China’s Agreement
The appointment of Matthew Zhen Xuebin was made within the framework of the 2018 agreement between the Vatican and China. This is the first appointment since the third extension of the Provisional Agreement on Bishop Appointments between the Holy See and China, and he is one of approximately ten bishops appointed and consecrated under the terms of the agreement.
This appointment marks a significant addition to the leadership of one of China’s most prominent dioceses.
Background of the new Coadjutor Bishop
The new Coadjutor Bishop studied at the Philosophical and Theological Seminary of Beijing. He furthered his studies at St. John’s University in the United States until 1997 and obtained a master’s degree in liturgy, focusing on ecclesiology from the Second Vatican Council. He was among the first group of Chinese seminarians given the opportunity for overseas training.
He was ordained as a priest in June 1998, joining the Beijing Diocese, where he later served as the Vice-Rector of the Beijing Seminary until 2007. Since then, he has carried out priestly duties in various parishes in Beijing. Starting in 2007, he has also served as diocesan Chancellor, overseeing pastoral administration for the Church in Beijing.
The Beijing Diocese has around 100,000 faithful, over 80 priests, and more than 40 parishes. Additionally, sisters from the Congregation of St. Joseph are actively engaged in pastoral and evangelization work.
