Pope Leo XIV Appoints Another Bishop for China - Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun who was Ordained Under the Vatican-China Agreement

 Diocesan Vicar Duan Yongkun Ordained Coadjutor Bishop of Bameng, China

BAMENG, CHINA — On July 29, Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun was consecrated as the coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Bameng in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Appointed by Pope Francis on June 15, his ordination follows approval under the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.

Born in Hangjin Houqi, Inner Mongolia, on December 6, 1980, Bishop Duan studied at Hebei Theological Seminary from 2000 to 2007 before completing further studies at Peking University and Beijing Foreign Studies University. He was ordained to the priesthood for the Diocese of Bameng on January 1, 2011, and later earned a degree from Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan (2013–2016).

After returning to his diocese, Bishop Duan led the local pastoral training center from 2016 to 2020. Prior to his episcopal ordination, he served as Vicar General of the Diocese of Bameng and pastor of the diocesan cathedral.

Key Insights:  

Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun Ordained Coadjutor Bishop in Inner Mongolia

• Event: Episcopal Ordination of Francis Xavier Duan Yongkun as Coadjutor Bishop of Bameng.

• Date & Location: Consecrated July 29 in Bameng, Inner Mongolia, following his June 15 papal appointment under the Holy See–China Provisional Agreement.

• Background:

  • Born: Dec 6, 1980 (Hangjin Houqi, Inner Mongolia)

  • Priestly Ordination: Jan 1, 2011

  • Education: Hebei Theological Seminary, Peking University, Beijing Foreign Studies University, and Fu Jen Catholic University (Taiwan).

  • Previous Roles: Director of the Diocesan Training Center (2016–2020), Vicar General of Bameng, and cathedral rector.

Source: https://www.vaticannews.va/it/chiesa/news/2026-07/ordinazione-episcopale-bameng.html