There hadn't been a new bishop consecrated within the framework of the Vatican-China provisional agreement since 2022. Now, within one week, there has been two.
The first was Bishop Thaddeus Wang Yuesheng, who filled a 70-year-long vacancy in the diocese of Zhengzhou. The second is Bishop Anthony Sun Venjun, who is the pastor of the new Diocese of Weifang, located about 300 miles south of Beijing.
Pope Francis established this new diocese of Weifang and appointed its pastor last April, according to a statement from the Vatican. But both were announced on January 29, the day of Bishop Venjun's consecration.
The Vatican-China provisional agreement was created in 2018 and has been renewed every two years since. These bishop consecrations take place just months before the agreement is up for renewal once again this October.
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