Melchior Shi Hongzhen is a Chinese Catholic prelate who has served as Bishop of Tianjin since 2019.[1][2] He had been under house arrest after refusing to join Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association.[3][4][5][6] The government recognized him as bishop of Tianjin in 2024.[7]
Most Reverend Melchior Shi Hongzhen | |
|---|---|
| Bishop of Tianjin | |
 | |
| Native name | 石鴻禎 |
| Church | Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Tianjin |
| In office | 8 June 2019 |
| Predecessor | Paul Liu Shuhe |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 4 July 1954 |
| Consecration | 15 June 1982 by Bishop Paul Liu Shuhe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 7 January 1929 Tianjin, China |
| Nationality | Chinese |
| Residence | House arrest |
| Motto | 温良和愛德該照耀我的一切工作 |
| Coat of arms |  |
Biography
editHongzhen was born in Tianjin, China, on 7 January 1929. He was ordained a priest on 4 July 1954. He was consecrated on 15 June 1982 by Bishop Paul Liu Shuhe as Coadjutor Bishop of Tianjin.
After the death of Liu Shuhe on 8 June 2019, Hongzhen succeeded him as Bishop of Tianjin but he was not recognised by the Chinese authorities because he refused to join the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA).[1] He was then placed under house arrest by the Chinese government.[8][3] He was recognized by the government as bishop in 2024.[7]
References
edit- ^ a b "Bishop of Tianjin Diocese Melchior Hongzhen Shi | UCA News". www.ucanews.com. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Diocese of Tianjin 天津, China 🇨🇳". GCatholic. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ a b Gong, Wang (2019-07-10). "Tianjin Diocese Bishop Forced to Join Patriotic Church". Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ CNA. "The diplomatic principles behind the Vatican's agreement with China". Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Pope Francis extends a hand to China". RVA. 2022-09-21. Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ "Looking for Good Catholic Bishops? Try a Chinese Prison | International Catholic Jurists Forum". Retrieved 2024-04-18.
- ^ a b "Holy See Press Office Communiqué". Holy See Press Office (Press release). 27 August 2024. Retrieved 2024-08-27.
- ^ AsiaNews.it. "Renewing the Sino-Vatican Agreement and the case of Tianjin". www.asianews.it. Retrieved 2024-04-18.