The Pope has decided to suppress the diocese of Fenyang and erect the new diocese of Lüliang, appointing Anthony Ji Weizhong as its first bishop, following the approval of his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China. This measure, announced by the Vatican on January 20, 2025, seeks to improve the pastoral care and spiritual well-being of the Catholic community in the region.
The Creation of the New Diocese
The papal decision was taken on October 28, 2024, to strengthen the pastoral care of the people of God. The new diocese of Lüliang, located in Shanxi province, replaces the former diocese of Fenyang, which was founded in 1946 by Pope Pius XII. The episcopal see will be located at the Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in the city of Lüliang.
The territory of the new diocese of Lüliang includes several districts and counties: Lishi, Wenshui, Jiaocheng, Xingxian, Linxian, Liulin, Shilou, Lanxian, Fangshan, Zhongyang, Jiaokou, as well as the cities of Xiaoyi and Fenyang. The counties of Kelan and Jingle will become part of the archdiocese of Taiyuan, and Pingyao and Jiexiu will be incorporated into the diocese of Yuci. In total, the diocese of Lüliang will cover 21,000 km² and a population of approximately 3.3 million inhabitants, of which around 20,000 are Catholics. This community will be accompanied by 51 priests and 26 nuns.
The Pope has decided to suppress the diocese of Fenyang and erect the new diocese of Lüliang, appointing Anthony Ji Weizhong as its first bishop, following the approval of his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China. This measure, announced by the Vatican on January 20, 2025, seeks to improve the pastoral care and spiritual well-being of the Catholic community in the region.
The Consecration of the First Bishop of Lüliang
In a solemn ceremony held on 20 January 2025, the Pope consecrated the Most Reverend Anthony Ji Weizhong as the first Bishop of Lüliang. Born in Wenshui (Shanxi) on 3 August 1973, Ji Weizhong completed his studies in Theology at the National Seminary of Beijing and was ordained a priest on 14 October 2001 for the Diocese of Fenyang. Throughout his pastoral service, he held important roles as vice-parish priest, head of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre and vicar general in Fenyang. In addition, Ji Weizhong obtained a degree in Theology from the University of Sankt Augustin (Germany) and studied languages at the University of Xi’an.
The election of Ji Weizhong as bishop reflects his extensive pastoral experience and his commitment to the Church in China, and is part of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, which seeks to strengthen relations and cooperation between the two entities.
