Bishop Paul Liu Honggang ordained under Vatican-Beijing agreement

Bishop Paul Liu Honggang has been ordained as the new leader of the Diocese of Datong in Shanxi province, marking the latest episcopal appointment conducted under the provisional agreement between the Vatican and the People’s Republic of China. The consecration took place on August 31 at the cathedral of the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Liu is the 17th Chinese bishop recognized by the Vatican since the 2018 agreement was signed. The appointment process involves candidates being selected via the state-sponsored Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association and subsequently submitted to Rome for approval. This mechanism has facilitated a series of relatively smooth appointments following the election of Pope Leo XIV.

Despite the technical success of the appointment process, ecclesiastical sources indicate underlying structural tensions between the Chinese state and the Catholic Church. Observers note that while the coordination between Beijing and the Vatican appears functional, long-term questions remain regarding potential schisms and the stability of the relationship ahead of the deal's next renewal in 2028.