Archive · 29 Jul 2026
Vatican Ordains Second Chinese Bishop Under Beijing Deal
The Vatican recently ordained a new bishop in China named Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun.
This happened under a special agreement between the Vatican and China.
The agreement allows both the Pope and Chinese authorities to have a say in who becomes a bishop.
This is the second ordination in a week, showing that the two sides are working together.
Some people support this deal because it helps unite the Catholic community in China.
Others criticize it because they think it gives too much power to the Chinese government.
The deal was first made in 2018 and was renewed in 2024 for another four years.
The Vatican ordained Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun as coadjutor bishop of Bameng, Inner Mongolia.
This is the second ordination in a week under the Vatican-Beijing deal.
The deal gives the Pope final say over bishop appointments while allowing Chinese authorities to propose candidates.
The accord was renewed in October 2024 for a further four years.
Some conservative Catholics criticize the deal for giving too much influence to China's ruling communists.
- Who
- Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun, Pope Leo, Chinese authorities
- What
- Ordination of a second Chinese bishop under the Vatican-Beijing deal
- When
- July 29, 2024
- Where
- Bameng, Inner Mongolia, China
- Why
- To maintain dialogue with Beijing and unify China’s divided Catholic community
Supporters of the Vatican-Beijing Deal
Critics of the Vatican-Beijing Deal
Role of Chinese Authorities
Supporters of the Vatican-Beijing Deal
The deal allows Chinese authorities a role in proposing candidates, which helps maintain dialogue and unify the Catholic community.
Critics of the Vatican-Beijing Deal
The deal gives too much influence to China's ruling communists, who have kept a tight rein on religious practice.
- Bishop Ordained
- Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun
- Diocese
- Bameng, Inner Mongolia
- Age of Bishop
- 45
- Ordination Date
- July 29, 2024
- Previous Ordination
- Joseph Chang Yanfeng as bishop of Chifeng
- Deal Renewal
- October 2024, for four years
- Deal Signing
- 2018