Bishop Wang expressed gratitude for the journey begun in the new diocese, emphasizing unity following the merger of the former dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi.
Newsroom (26/09/2025, Gaudium Press ) The consecration of Bishop Joseph Wang Zhengui as the first bishop of the newly established Diocese of Zhangjiakou in China was described as “a grace and a gift from God” during a solemn Eucharistic liturgy on September 10. The celebration, held in the parish of Qujiazhuang, Bishop Wang’s hometown, marked a significant moment of ecclesial communion, uniting the faithful with Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Ma Yan’en and Bishop Emeritus Augustine Cui Tai in a shared commitment to pastoral care and Gospel proclamation.
Appointed by Pope Leo XIV on July 8, Bishop Joseph Wang Zhengui, alongside 31 diocesan priests, religious sisters, and thousands of parishioners, participated in the liturgy, which radiated joy and serene familiarity. In his homily, Bishop Wang expressed gratitude for the journey begun in the new diocese, emphasizing unity following the merger of the former dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi.
The reconfiguration, part of an agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, aligns ecclesiastical boundaries with civil administrative districts, responding to both spiritual and governmental priorities. Pope Leo XIV suppressed the dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi on July 8, establishing Zhangjiakou to “promote the pastoral care of the Lord’s flock and to attend more effectively to its spiritual good.”
Auxiliary Bishop Ma and Bishop Emeritus Cui, in brief addresses, underscored the merger as part of God’s plan. Bishop Ma urged the faithful to “embrace reality with obedience, set aside prejudices, unite wholeheartedly, and work together to promote a speedy return to the ordinary pastoral life of the diocese.” He pledged collaboration with Bishop Wang to “write a splendid chapter for the future of the diocese.”
The faithful warmly welcomed the three bishops, kissing their pastoral rings and receiving blessings. The celebration concluded with a shared lunch, fostering community among priests, nuns, and parishioners.
The reconfiguration addresses historical complexities. The dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi, established by Pope Pius XII in 1946, were led by Bishops Cui Tai, 75, and Ma Yan’en, 65, whose episcopal ordinations predated the 2018 Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and China. Their sees were initially unrecognized by Chinese authorities. On September 4, Pope Leo appointed Ma Yan’en as Auxiliary Bishop of Zhangjiakou, and on September 12, civil authorities recognized the episcopal sees of both Ma Yan’en and Cui Tai, the latter as Bishop Emeritus. These steps, alongside Bishop Wang’s consecration, signal a new chapter of alignment and cooperation.
The Qujiazhuang liturgy not only celebrated Bishop Wang’s consecration but also symbolized a unified path forward for the Diocese of Zhangjiakou, blending spiritual mission with practical adaptation to modern realities.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Agenzia Fides
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