Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - Today, Friday 5 December 2025, the episcopal ordination of the Reverend Francis Li Jianlin, of the clergy of Xinxiang, took place. On 11 August 2025, the Holy Father appointed him as bishop of the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang, Henan Province, China, having approved his candidature in accordance with the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China, and having accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the same Apostolic Prefecture presented by Bishop Joseph Zhang Weizhu.
The Reverend Francis Li Jianlin was born on 9 July 1974 in the city of Huixian, Henan Province, to a family of Catholic tradition. From September 1990 to June 1999 he carried out his journey of formation and discernment with in preparation for the priesthood, first at the seminary of Zhengding and then the seminary of Yixian, Hebei. On 23 July 1999 he received priestly ordination from Bishop Nicola Shi Jingxian of Shangqiu, for the Apostolic Prefecture of Xinxiang. From July 1999 to 2000 he was parish priest of Qinyang. In 2000 he was appointed for the formation of seminarians and religious sisters in the district. Since 2011, he has served as parish priest in Jiaozuo. (Agenzia Fides, 5/12/2025)
