The Holy See’s Satisfaction with Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen’s Recognition
Exciting news has come from the Holy See Press Office as they express their “satisfaction” with the official recognition of Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen as the Bishop of Tianjin by the Chinese government.
By Vatican News
It is with joy that the Holy See received the announcement on August 27, 2024, that Bishop Melchior Shi Hongzhen has been recognized as the Bishop of Tianjin for civil purposes.
This significant development is the result of fruitful dialogue between the Holy See and the Chinese Government over the years, as stated in the communiqué released by the Holy See Press Office.
Bishop Shi Hongzhen, who was ordained a priest in 1954 and consecrated as the coadjutor of Tianjin in 1982, has succeeded Bishop Stefano Li Side in June 2019. The Diocese of Tianjin, with its 56,000 faithful spread across 21 parishes, is served by 62 priests and a commendable number of religious sisters.
