The Universality of the Church: A Bishop is ordained in China

 

File photo: Members of the faithful attend mass in China (AFP or licensors)

Church

• China
• bishops

Bishop Ignatius Ding Zuyao ordained in Haimen, China

The episcopal ordination of Bishop Ignatius Ding Zuyao takes place in Haimen, in China’s Jiangsu Province, following his appointment by Pope Leo XIV under the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.

Vatican News

Father Ignatius Ding Zuyao was ordained Bishop of Haimen, in China's Jiangsu Province, on Thursday, 15 October 2026.

Pope Leo XIV appointed him on 24 August 2026, having approved his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People's Republic of China.

Biography

Bishop Ignatius Ding Zuyao was born in August 1986 in Qidong, Jiangsu Province.

From 2001 to 2004, he studied at the Jiangsu section of Sheshan Seminary in Shanghai. He subsequently studied philosophy and theology at the Beijing Theological Seminary from 2004 to 2011, obtaining a bachelor's degree.

He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Haimen on 27 October 2011.

From 2012 to 2013, he served as parish priest in Haimenzhen, before taking up the same role in Linjiang from 2013 to 2017.

Between 2017 and 2023, he served as parish priest of Caojiazhen Parish.

In February 2023, he was appointed parish priest of Qingnian Donglu Parish in Nantong, a position he held until his episcopal appointment.