Matthew Zhen Xuebin has officially assumed his role as the Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Beijing in a consecration ceremony held at the Beitang Cathedral, also known as the “Church of the North.”
During his ordination, Zhen echoed the Apostle Paul’s commitment to his mission, saying, “I do all things for the sake of the Gospel.”
His appointment, approved by Pope Francis under the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, marked a significant addition to the leadership within one of China’s most prominent dioceses, according to a report by Vatican’s Fides News Agency.
In his closing remarks, Bishop Zhen expressed gratitude for what he described as a divine calling, acknowledging his perceived inadequacies for the role but accepting it with faith.
“I am grateful to the Lord for his grace in choosing me, a humble servant, as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Beijing. 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,” he said.
The liturgy was presided over by Bishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing, with four other Chinese bishops participating: Peter Ding Lingbin of Changzhi, Joseph Guo Jincai of Chengde, John Baptist Li Suguang of Nanchang, and Anthony Yao Shun of Jining.
The event gathered approximately 500 attendees, including nuns, lay faithful, and Bishop Zhen’s family members.
The consecration ceremony was attended by nearly 140 priests, the majority from Beijing, with others traveling from Shanxi province, Zhen’s home region.
A letter from the “College of Chinese Catholic Bishops,” dated October 12 and read aloud at the ordination, confirmed Pope Francis’ endorsement of Zhen’s appointment.
In his capacity as Secretary of the College, Father Joseph Yang Yu delivered the letter, further emphasizing the Vatican’s involvement in the nomination.
Bishop Zhen’s path to the episcopate reflects a lifelong commitment to the Church. Born on May 10, 1970, in the Shanxi province, he completed his theological studies at Beijing’s Philosophical and Theological Seminary, before furthering his education at Saint John’s University in New York.
Ordained as a priest in 1998, Zhen served as Vice-Rector of Beijing’s Seminary and subsequently ministered in various city parishes.
Since 2007, he has held the position of diocesan chancellor, providing pastoral care to non-Chinese Catholics in the diocese.
The Diocese of Beijing serves a Catholic population of approximately 100,000, with around 80 priests, a congregation of religious sisters dedicated to Saint Joseph, and about 40 parishes.
