(SE): Father Paolo Liu Honggang was ordained as Bishop of Datong, Shanxi, China, on August 31, according to Vatican News. He had been appointed by Pope Leo XIV on August 10, following the approval of his candidacy under the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.
Born on 2 November 1970 in the village of Wufuying, near the city of Taiyuan, Bishop Liu attended Fenyang Seminary from 1988 to 1992 and the National Seminary in Beijing from 1992 to 1996, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in theology.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Datong on November 24, 1996. From December 1996 to 1999, he served as parish priest of Zhangguantun. From 2000 to 2003, he was parish priest in Xubao, after which he was transferred to the parish of Xihehe, where he served as pastor from 2003 to 2005. Since 15 March 2005, he has been diocesan administrator.
