Graduate of Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary consecrated as bishop of Beijing
Matthew Shen Xuebin, a graduate of Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary and a Chinese priest was consecrated as the new coadjutor bishop of Beijing on Friday, October 25th, marking the first episcopal appointment since the Vatican renewed its provisional agreement with China on bishop nominations recently.
“I do all things for the sake of the Gospel,” Matthew Zhen Xuebin declared in his thanksgiving speech, quoting the apostle Paul, I am grateful to the Lord for his grace in choosing me, a humble servant, as coadjutor bishop of the Diocese of Beijing.”
The consecration ceremony was celebrated at Beijing’s Beitang Cathedral, with Bishop Joseph Li Shan of Beijing serving as the principal consecrator. Bishop Matthew joins two other Chinese bishops as graduates of Saint John’s School of Theology and Seminary.
Four other Chinese bishops participated in the celebration, joined by approximately 140 priests and 500 faithful, including religious sisters and relatives of the new bishop.
Pope Francis appointed Zhen as coadjutor bishop on Aug. 28.
Born in Changzhi, Shanxi province, on May 10, 1970, Zhen completed his initial formation at the Beijing Philosophical and Theological Seminary from 1988 to 1993.
He later earned a licentiate in liturgy from Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota. Ordained to the priesthood in 1998, he served as vice rector of the Beijing Seminary until 2007 and has since held the position of diocesan chancellor.
Zhen has been mainly involved in pastoral care for non-Chinese Catholics in Beijing, overseeing Korean, English, and Tagalog liturgies.
The Beijing Diocese serves approximately 100,000 faithful with 80 priests and about 40 parishes and churches.
As coadjutor bishop, Zhen will assist the current bishop and has the right to succession.