Vatican City, Aug 27, 2019 / 09:44 am
A new bishop was consecrated Monday in Inner Mongolia, China, becoming the first bishop to be consecrated in the country after a deal on bishop appointments was made with the Vatican last year.
"I can confirm that H.E. Mgr. Antonio Yao Shun, who has been consecrated Bishop of Jining/Wulanchabu, Inner Mongolia (China), received the Papal Mandate, as was also stated by the Ordaining Bishop during the ceremony yesterday, 26th August 2019," said Matteo Bruni, director of the Holy See Press Office, in a statement responding to media questions.
"The Episcopal Ordination of H.E. Mgr. Antonio Yao is the first to take place in the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China signed in Beijing on 22nd September 2018," he said.
Bishop Antonio Yao Shun, 54, will head the Diocese of Jining in Ulanqab, Inner Mongolia. The diocese has been without a bishop since the June 2017 death of Bishop John Liu Shigong.