by Marta Zhao
Datong – Today, Monday 31 August 2026, episcopal ordination was received by the Revered Paul Liu Honggang, whom the Holy Father, on 10 August 2026, appointed bishop of Datong, Shanxi, China, having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.This morning, Monday, August 31, a Mass of episcopal ordination was celebrated for Father Paul Liu Honggang, who was ordained the new Bishop of the Diocese of Datong, in China’s Shanxi Province.
Pope Leo XIV, according to information released today by the Holy See Press Office, appointed Paul Liu Honggang Bishop of Datong “on 10 August 2026, having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China” concerning the appointment of Chinese bishops.
With his episcopal appointment by Leo XIV and today’s episcopal ordination, the number of new Chinese Catholic bishops ordained in full communion with the Bishop of Rome within the framework of the Provisional Agreement on new episcopal appointments has risen to 17. The Agreement was signed by the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China under the pontificate of Pope Francis on September 22, 2018. It was renewed every two years in 2020 and 2022, and then extended for a further four years in October 2024.
The process that led to the appointment and episcopal ordination of Paul Liu Honggang was also carried out entirely, from its earliest stages, under the pontificate of Pope Prevost.
The ordination liturgy was celebrated at the cathedral dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, in Pingcheng District. The principal consecrator was Joseph Shen Bin, Bishop of Shanghai.
Four bishops from Shanxi Province concelebrated the solemn liturgy: Peter Ding Lingbin, Bishop of Changzhi; Peter Liu Genzhu, Bishop of Linfen; Paul Ma Cunguo, Bishop of Shuozhou; and Anthony Ji Weizhong, Bishop of Lüliang.
More than 200 people, including priests, religious women and lay faithful, took part in the ordination.
Paul Liu Honggang was born on 2 November 1970 in the village of Wufuying, near the city of Taiyuan. From 1988 to 1992 he attended the seminary of Fenyang and, subsequently, from 1992 to 1996, the National Seminary in Beijing, where he obtained a bachelor’s degree in theology. On 24 November 1996, he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Datong. From December 1996 to 1999, he served as parish priest of Zhangguantun; from 2000 to 2003 he was parish priest in Xubao, before being transferred to the parish of Xihehe, where he served as parish priest from 2003 to 2005. Since 15 March 2005, he has held the office of diocesan administrator.
The Catholic presence in the Datong area dates back at least to the late 17th century. Historically, missionaries of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary , also known as the Scheut Missionaries, worked in the area.
The Apostolic Prefecture of Datong was established on March 14, 1922, by Pope Pius XI. On June 17, 1932, it was elevated to an Apostolic Vicariate by the same Pope. On April 11, 1946, the Vicariate was elevated to a diocese by Pope Pius XII through the bull Quotidie Nos.
Today, the diocese has approximately 10,000 baptized Catholics, 15 priests, 16 parishes and a women’s religious congregation dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
Despite the diocese’s long periods without a bishop and the economic marginalization of the area, the Catholic community has preserved its faith and maintained a vibrant ecclesial life.
On April 11, 2024, a solemn liturgy was celebrated for the priestly ordination of two deacons, presided over by Bishop Paul Ma Cunguo of Shuozhou. They were the first priestly ordinations in the Diocese of Datong since 2010.
Coal mining is the main industrial activity in Datong. The Catholic community also faces limited economic resources, but the charity of the faithful appears inspired by the biblical figure of the poor widow.
As Father Wang Lisheng, parish priest of Yulin, told Fides: “During the pandemic, poverty did not prevent solidarity. The 3,470 yuan donated by about twenty elderly faithful may seem like a drop in the ocean, but they represented part of their already modest financial resources. … They got through that time of need through prayer and Eucharistic adoration. During the pandemic, I also gave some elderly faithful the key to the chapel where they could adore the Blessed Sacrament, allowing them to spend time in Eucharistic adoration every day and take turns praying for the end of the pandemic.”
On August 22, 2006, a celebration was held to mark the 100th anniversary of the cathedral where Paul Liu’s ordination took place today. Civil authorities and local residents attended the event. The local newspaper, “Datong Daily,” also reported on the celebration.
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