Roman Catholic Diocese of Zhoucun

The Diocese of Zhoucun (Chowtsun) (Latin: Dioecesis Ceuziienensis, Chinese: 教周村教区) is a Latin Catholic diocese of the Catholic Church located in Zhoucun (Zibo) in the ecclesiastical province of Jinan in China.

Diocese of Zhoucun Dioecesis Ceuziienensis 教周村教区
Catholic
Location
Country	China
Ecclesiastical province	Jinan
Metropolitan	Jinan
Statistics
Area	5,000 km2 (1,900 sq mi)
Population - Total - Catholics	(as of 1950) 3,000,000 29,411 (1.0%)
Information
Denomination	Catholic Church
Sui iuris church	Latin Church
Rite	Latin liturgical rites
Cathedral	Cathedral in Zhoucun, Shandong
Current leadership
Pope	Francis
Bishop	Joseph Yang Yongqiang
Metropolitan Archbishop	Joseph Zhang Xianwang

History

• April 16, 1929: Established as Mission "sui iuris" of Zhangdian 張店 from the Apostolic Vicariate of Tsinanfu 濟南府
• June 1, 1932: Promoted as Apostolic Prefecture of Zhangdian 張店
• May 18, 1937: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Zhoucun 周村
• April 11, 1946: Promoted as Diocese of Zhoucun 周村

Leadership

• Bishops of Zhoucun 周村 (Roman rite)
  • Bishop Joseph Yang Yongqiang (2013–present)
  • Bishop Joseph Ma Xue-sheng (1997–2013)
  • Bishop John Gao Ke-xian (1993–2005) (clandestinely)
  • Bishop Henry Ambrose Pinger, O.F.M. (April 11, 1946 – September 24, 1988)
• Vicars Apostolic of Zhoucun 周村 (Roman Rite)
  • Bishop Henry Ambrose Pinger, O.F.M. (May 18, 1937 – April 11, 1946)
• Prefects Apostolic of Zhangdian 張店 (Roman Rite)
  • Fr. Henry Ambrose Pinger, O.F.M. (later Bishop) (1932 – May 18, 1937)
• Ecclesiastical Superiors of Zhangdian 張店 (Roman Rite)
  • Fr. Henry Ambrose Pinger, O.F.M. (later Bishop) (1930–1932)

References

• GCatholic.org
• Catholic Hierarchy