by Marta Zhao
Bayannur – “Today I am able to be a priest because of the extraordinary grace the Lord has bestowed upon me… I can desire nothing more than to dedicate my whole life and all my strength to giving thanks for this gift by serving Our Lord and others with fidelity and love.” These were the words spoken by Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun on the day of his priestly ordination, January 1, 2011.
More than 15 years later, on June 15, 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed him Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Bameng, in China’s Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, “having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China,” according to the statement released today by the Holy See Press Office announcing that, on Wednesday, July 29, Francis Xavier Duan received episcopal ordination at St. Dominic’s Church in Shanba, Bayannur.
The liturgy of consecration was presided over by Paul Meng Qinglu, Bishop of Hohhot. The consecrating bishops were Joseph Yang Xiaoting , Matthias Du Jiang , Anthony Yao Shun , and Joseph Chang Yanfeng, who was ordained Bishop of the Diocese of Chifeng on July 22.
Around 350 priests, women religious and lay faithful took part in the episcopal ordination.
With Pope Leo XIV’s appointment and today’s episcopal ordination, the number of new Chinese Catholic bishops ordained in full communion with the Bishop of Rome, in accordance with the Provisional Agreement on news episcopal appointments reaches 16. The Agreement, signed on September 22, 2018, during the pontificate of Pope Francis by the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, was renewed in 2020 and 2022 before being extended for four years in October 2024.
The entire process leading to the appointment and episcopal ordination of Francis Xavier Duan also took place—from its earliest stages—during the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV.
The journey of the new bishop
Born on December 6, 1980, in Hangjin Houqi, Inner Mongolia, from 2000 to 2007, Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun attended the Hebei Theological Seminary. From 2008 to 2013, he studied at Peking University and Beijing Foreign Studies University. Meanwhile, on 1 January 2011, he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Bameng. From 2013 to 2016, he continued his studies at Fujen Catholic University in Taiwan. Upon returning to his circumscription, he served as director of the local formation centre from 2016 to 2020. He was subsequently appointed vicar general of the diocese of Bameng and parish priest of the diocesan cathedral.
With the support and encouragement of Matthias Du Jiang, Ordinary Bishop of the Diocese of Bameng, as Vicar General of the Diocese of Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun, he devoted himself with care and commitment to addressing the pastoral needs of his diocese as well as other sister dioceses. In 2024 he was called to lead the annual spiritual retreat for the priests of Shanghai and Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, focusing on the theme of the “spirituality of communion.”
During the Chinese New Year of 2026, he visited the four parishes and four prayer centres of Hangjinhouqi County, encouraging the communities to strengthen communion between priests and laity, promote pastoral ministry, bear witness to their faith through charitable works, and contribute as believers to the common good and harmonious coexistence among the region’s different ethnic groups.
One particular episode is remembered as a sign of the pastoral dedication of the new bishop Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun. At Christmas 2019, after a severe snowstorm and a sharp drop in temperatures in Urad Houqi, Fr. Duan travelled a long distance through harsh weather to reach Dongshengmiao Catholic Church in time to celebrate the Nativity of the Lord with the parish community. On Christmas Day he administered Baptism to two catechumens and, despite continuing snowfall and even colder temperatures, drove several more kilometres to the town of Qingshan to celebrate Christmas Mass with the local Catholic community.
The apostolic fervor of the Church in Bameng
In modern times, the Catholic community in the Bameng region flourished thanks to the missionary work of the Congregation of the Missionaries of the Immaculate Heart of Mary , also known as the ‘Scheut Fathers.’
Today the Diocese of Bameng comprises around 40,000 Catholics, served by approximately thirty priests and twenty Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Mother.
Despite the harsh climate of the Inner Mongolian steppes, the local Church has demonstrated remarkable apostolic fervor through the energy and creativity with which it has fostered ordinary ecclesial life: catechism courses, spiritual retreats for clergy and laity, charitable initiatives, thriving youth and vocational groups, and the proclamation of Pastoral Years dedicated to specific figures and themes, including St. Paul, St. Joseph and the proclamation of the Gospel. Bishops and priests, with the support of the Bameng Formation Centre and the “Little Rock” Bible Study Group, seize every opportunity to share with the faithful a renewed enthusiasm for proclaiming the Gospel.
Already in 2011, during the consecration of a new church, Bishop Matthias Du Jiang urged the faithful “to cherish with gratitude and value this gift, the fruit of a journey that has not been easy. Take care,” he said, “of the holy temple the Lord has given us; make it a living place of faith and communion, bear witness to Christ through your lives, and help the Holy Church continue to grow.”
Without seeking publicity or self-promotion, the Catholic community of Bameng has consistently shown generosity and initiative in charitable works. In 2008, when the devastating earthquake struck Wenchuan in Sichuan Province, a single parish in Linhe quickly responded by raising 12,777.60 yuan for those affected by the disaster.
The diocese also benefits from a very active Diocesan Pastoral Council. Since 2010 it has organized an annual sacred music concert as an opportunity to share the beauty of art inspired by faith.
In 2011 the Council organized its first meeting to share experiences and testimonies on evangelization, which also highlighted situations in which the proclamation of the Gospel has endured challenging times.
Profound gratitude for the missionaries
Pastoral care for newly baptized Catholics, young people, the elderly, mothers and those in need, together with attention to the challenges of the present time, goes hand in hand in the Diocese of Bameng with a profound gratitude for the missionaries who gave their lives to bring the Gospel to this land. On July 28, 2018, as the universal Church commemorated the Holy Chinese Martyrs, including St. Paul Chen Changpin and his four companion martyrs, Bishop Matthias Du Jiang celebrated a solemn Eucharist venerating the relics of the Scheut missionaries together with priests, religious and lay faithful. The missionaries’ remains were transferred to the crypt beneath Sanshenggong Church, where Catholics continue to honour with gratitude the quiet and selfless apostolic zeal of both Chinese and foreign missionaries.
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