New Bishop Ordained in China - as Archbishop of Chongqing - the 18th Bishop of the Vatican-China Agreement

 Andrew Ding Yang Ordained Archbishop of Chongqing

On Tuesday, September 8—the feast of the Holy Name of Mary—Father Andrew Ding Yang was ordained Archbishop of Chongqing at St. Joseph’s Cathedral. The Holy See Press Office announced that Pope Leo XIV appointed him on July 18, 2026, under the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and China regarding bishop appointments.

Archbishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing presided over the consecration alongside six co-consecrators. Approximately 350 priests, religious sisters, seminarians, and lay faithful attended. This marks the 18th episcopal ordination conducted in full communion with Rome under the framework of the 2018 Provisional Agreement, which was most recently extended for four years in October 2024.

About Archbishop Andrew Ding Yang

• Born: September 16, 1981, in Hechuan District, Chongqing.

• Education & Formation: Studied at Beijing Seminary (2000–2006), St. Joseph University in Macau (2009–2011), and the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome (2014).

• Ordination & Service: Ordained a priest on May 24, 2007. Served as assistant parish priest at St. Joseph’s Parish, formator at the National Theological Seminary in Beijing (2012–2014), and pastor across several parishes in the archdiocese.

The Archdiocese of Chongqing The Archdiocese currently serves roughly 120,000 faithful, 30 priests, 30 churches, and 20 prayer sites. It is also home to the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, whose sisters run the "Ren Ai – Charity" home for the elderly.

Historical Context The Church’s presence in Sichuan dates back to the 17th century, with the Apostolic Vicariate of Sichuan established in 1696. Key historical milestones include:

• 1856: Creation of the Apostolic Vicariate of Southeastern Sichuan (later renamed Eastern Sichuan in 1860), driven largely by the Paris Foreign Missions Society (MEP).

• 1924–1929: Renamed the Vicariate of Chongqing in 1924; its northeastern territory split in 1929 to form the Vicariate of Wanzhou.

• 1946: Pope Pius XII elevated Chongqing to an archdiocese and the metropolitan see for Sichuan Province.

Chongqing is also closely tied to Fr. Vincent Lebbe (Lei Mingyuan), a Belgian missionary who advocated for native Chinese Church leadership. Fr. Lebbe died in Chongqing in 1940, where his remains are preserved in a beloved local shrine.

Image Source: https://www.asianews.it/en/east-asia/china/a-young-bishop-for-chongqing-one-of-china-s-megacities

Text Edited from: https://www.fides.org/en/news/78140-ASIA_CHINA_Andrew_Ding_Yang_ordained_Archbishop_of_Chongqing