ASIA/CHINA - New Bishop for Diocese of Sanyuan in Shaanxi

Yuanmenxiang (Agenzia Fides) – Thursday, June 24, in the Cathedral Church of the Sacred Heart in Yuanmenxiang, there was an episcopal ordination held for Bishop Joseph Han Yingjin of the diocesan clergy, 51 years of age and 17 years as a priest. He was approved by the Holy See for the office of Bishop of Sanyuan. The Chinese authorities have approved his ordination.
The liturgy was presided by Bishop Joseph Zong Huaide, 80-year-old Bishop Emeritus of Sanyuan. Bishops Anthony Dang Mingyan of Xian and Bishop Louis Yu Runchen of Hanzhong were co-consecrating bishops. Also concelebrating were Bishop Joseph Tong Chanping of Weinan, Bishop Joseph Li Jing of Yinchuan, and Bishop Nicholas Han Jide of Pingliang. All these bishops are in communion with the Holy Father and recognized by the government. The participation of a thousand faithful at the religious ceremony and the presence of eighty priests, who concelebrated the Eucharist, are expressions of joy from the diocesan community at the gift of a new pastor.
Bishop Han was born November 20, 1958 in a family with a long Catholic tradition in the Dingxiang County, in the Province of Hebei. He worked for five years as an engineer in the engineering department of railways. In the 1980s, he studied at the diocesan seminary, Sacred Heart, and was ordained priest on November 8, 1992 by the same Bishop Zong, who has now consecrated him bishop. After his ordination, he was Dean of Studies at the seminary and pastor of Guolucun.
The Diocese of Sanyuan is the oldest in Shaanxi and is located in the central part of the province. It currently has more than 40,000 people, mostly farmers or workers. There are 35 priests, 100 religious, and ten seminarians studying in the regional seminary in Xian. The Diocese has several clinics, schools, and a home for the elderly.
Bishop Han said that one of his priorities will be to improve personal relationships and communion with priests and care for elderly priests. For the clergy, women religious, and lay faithful, the new pastor plans to organize training courses through Bible study, for a more effective evangelization.
The diocesan community entrusts Bishop Han to the maternal protection of the Virgin Mary. Everyone hopes that he can, with dedication and love, carry out the pastoral office which the Church has entrusted to him in Sanyuan. (Agenzia Fides 06/30/2010)