Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Today, Friday 12 September 2025, the civil recognition and inauguration of Bishop Joseph Ma Yan'en, formerly of Xiwanzi, took place. The Holy Father, within the framework of the dialogue on the application of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China, appointed him on 4 September 2025 as auxiliary bishop of Zhangjiakou, Hebei Province, China.
Bishop Joseph Ma Yan’en was born on 15 January 1960 in Baoding. He was ordained a priest on 20 October 1985 for the Apostolic Prefecture of Yixian, where he held the office of vicar general. He received episcopal ordination on 20 December 2010. On 30 January he was appointed bishop of Xiwanzi, taking canonical possession of the same circumscription on the following 28 March. (Agenzia Fides, 12/9/2025)
