Beijing, China, Nov 23, 2007 / 08:14 am
A priest will soon be ordained to the episcopacy in China's state-recognized church with the approval of the Pope.
The elevation of Father Joseph Gan Junqiu has also been approved by the Chinese government.
Last year three bishops were ordained without the approval of Rome, but the Vatican is still trying to improve its relations with Beijing.
China's Catholics, who number between 8 and 12 million, are split between the official state church and an underground church that rejects government ties.