The Archdiocese of Beijing in China saw the consecration of its new coadjutor bishop duly approved and appointed by Pope Francis.
Bishop Matteo Zhen Xuebin, the former diocesan chancellor, was ordained a bishop on October 25 at the Church of the Savior in Beijing, according to a statement from the Holy See Press Office.
“I am grateful to the Lord for his grace in choosing me, a humble servant...” he said during his consecration. “I am aware that I do not have the qualities required for the task entrusted to me, but I accept it in faith and entrust myself to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and St. Matthew the Apostle, trusting with all my heart and promising to dedicate myself entirely to the fulfillment of my pastoral duties, because ‘I do all things for the sake of Gospel’”.
His appointment took place on August 28, 2024, according to the provisions of the Sino-Vatican deal, the agreement that allows China to endorse bishops before the pope formally appoints them.
Bishop Xuebin’s consecration took place a few days after the deal’s renewal, which was initially signed in 2018. It now remains in effect for four more years until October 22, 2028.
The deal was renewed after seven Catholic bishops in China were reportedly detained without due process, as well as the extreme pressure being faced by other prelates in terms of government surveillance and police investigations.
The English translation from the Holy See stated that “the Vatican party remains dedicated to furthering the respectful and constructive dialogue with the Chinese party, in view of the further development of bilateral relations for the benefit of the Catholic Church in China and the Chinese people as a whole.”
As coadjutor bishop, 54-year-old Bishop Xuebin will take over the Archdiocese of Beijing as soon as Archbishop Joseph Li Shan retires, dies, or is transferred to a new assignment.
At present, he will serve as the archdiocese’s auxiliary bishop.
Bishop Matteo Zhen Xuebin was born in Changzhi on May 10, 1970. He studied at the Beijing Philosophical and Theological Seminary from 1988 to 1993 and at St. John’s University (USA) from 1993 to 1997 for his Licentiate in Liturgy.
He was ordained a priest on June 25, 1998 and served as Vice Rector of the Beijing Seminary from 1998 to 2007.
During his ordination, Beijing Archbishop Li Shan served as the principal consecrator, with four other prelates concelebrating in the Holy Mass. One of them is Bishop Peter Ding Lingbin of Changzhi, Bishop Xuebin’s home diocese.
According to Agenzia Fides, around 140 priests and 500 lay people and religious were present during the event.
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