Chinese-elected bishop to be ordained Sept. 8 with Vatican approval

Published: 2007-09-04

HONG KONG (CNS) -- Bishop-designate Paul Xiao Zejiang was to be ordained coadjutor bishop of Guizhou Sept. 8, the feast of Mary's birth, several church sources told the Asian church news agency UCA News. Bishop-designate Xiao has received papal approval for his ordination and will be ordained in the cathedral in Guiyang, the capital of Guizhou province. He was elected by priests and other representatives of the diocese last October. The bishop-designate, 40, is a vicar general in the diocese. As coadjutor, he would automatically succeed 89-year-old Bishop Anicetus Wang Chongyi of Guizhou upon the bishop's death or retirement. Bishop Wang is expected to preside at the ordination. Father Long Chengzhong, the other vicar general, told UCA News that Bishop Wang has asked Bishop Louis Yu Runchen of Hanzhong and Auxiliary Bishop Paul He Zeqing of Wanxian to serve as the co-ordaining prelates.

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