Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Beijing (Agenzia Fides) – Bishop Paolo Pei Jun Min, who until now had served as Coadjutor Bishop for the Diocese of Liao Ning, continental China, appointed in 2006 with the Holy Father’s approval, has officially begun his episopal ministry in the Diocese on June 29, Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. He succeeds Bishop Jin Pei Xian, who resigned upon reaching the age limit. In the same celebration, the Bishop also inaugurated the Year of Saint Paul, promising to do his best to follow in the footsteps of “the Apostle par excellence,” in the presence of over 2,000 faithful, 150 religious, and representatives of the local authorities. Over 70 priests concelebrated during the Mass, including guests from the neighboring dioceses and communities, such as Bishop Zhang Han Min of Ji Lin, Father Yue Fu Sheng, Vicar of the Diocese of Hei Long Jiang, and many others.
Bishop Jin Pei Xian announced his retreat from pastoral activity, according to the tradition of the Church. In his installation address, Bishop Pei thanked his beloved predecessor for his twenty years of service and dedication to the Church, promising to continue his pastoral guidelines: “I hope to intensify the formation of our priests, value the role of the religious and laity. We should also increase our contact with the outside world, offering a better image of the Diocese of Liao Ning and of the Church in China.”
Mentioning the Year of St. Paul, the Bishop said that this event “calls us on to a greater commitment in evangelization and inculturalization. With a dynamic evangelization and with the pastoral and social services, our diocese wants to begin a new Pauline era.” The priests and religious, along with the faithful present promised their fidelity to the Bishop. The representative of the civil authorities – Vice-Minister of the United Front of the Province of Liao Ning – thanked Bishop Jin and Bishop Pei and the entire Catholic community for their untiring efforts in building a harmonious society: “I congratulate the Catholic community for this passing on of episcopal powers which occurs without traumas. I think that the community will enjoy new success under the guidance of Bishop Pei.” The day after the Installation Mass, Bishop Pei held his first meeting with the priests in order to discuss priestly formation, the community, and the current Church matters.
Bishop Paolo Pei Jun Min was born in 1969 into a devout Catholic family. He entered the Seminary in Shen Yang in 1985 and graduated in 1990. He was ordained a priest on May 31, 1992. After serving in pastoral ministry, he studied at the St. Charles Borromeo Theological Seminary in the United States. He earned a degree in Sacred Scripture and in Theology. He returned to China in 1996 and taught at the Seminary of Shen Yang, also becoming its Vice-Rector and Administrator. He was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Liao Ning with the Holy Father’s approval on January 12, 2006. The Holy See’s approval was widely reported in the media at the moment of his consecration as bishop on May 7, 2006. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 8/7/2008)
