Pope Francis approves transfer of Chinese bishop to Diocese of Fuzhou

Vatican City, Jan 23, 2025 / 08:45 am (CNA).

The Vatican announced Thursday that Pope Francis had approved the transfer of Bishop Joseph Cai Bingrui from the Diocese of Xiamen to the Diocese of Fuzhou, both in the southeast Chinese province of Fujian.

The 59-year-old Cai took possession of the diocese on Jan. 23.

The Vatican said the bishop’s candidacy was approved by Pope Francis on Jan. 15 under the terms of the “Provisional Agreement,” better known as the Vatican-China deal.

Cai was consecrated bishop of Xiamen with papal and government approval in 2010 after serving as diocesan administrator from 1996.

After growing up in a Catholic family, Cai was ordained a priest in 1992.

Last week, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had erected a new diocese in China and appointed Father Anthony Ji Weizhong as its first bishop.

The pope decided last October to suppress the Diocese of Fenyang in mainland China, which was originally erected in 1946 by Pope Pius XII, and at the same time erect the new Diocese of Lüliang.

Pope Francis appointed the 51-year-old Weizhong as bishop of Lüliang on Oct. 28, 2024.

Originally signed in September 2018, the Vatican in October 2024 renewed its “Provisional Agreement” with China on the appointment of Catholic bishops for an additional four years, until at least Oct. 22, 2028.