Li Huiyuan Explained

Li Huiyuan, is the current bishop of the Diocese of Fengxiang in Shaanxi, China.

Episcopate

Li Huiyuan was formerly part of the clandestine underground Chinese Catholic church and he served as the coadjutor bishop for Lucas Li Jing-feng of the same diocese prior to the latter's death in 2017. He was officially recognized by the Holy See for this position since 2015. Bishop Lucas Li had tried to pave the way for a transition of the diocese from underground to official status prior to his death and the Chinese authorities engaged in cooperation with him for this purpose.

After Bishop Lucas Li died in 2017, Li Huiyuan gained effective control of the diocese. In 2020, he gained official government approval as the bishop of Fengxiang in a ceremony attended by several other bishops, and thus became part of the government-recognized Catholic church in China.[1] [2]

Notes and References

  1. https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Fengxiang:-Mgr-Peter-Li-Huiyuan,-former-underground-bishop,-becomes-official-bishop-50408.html, Asia News, Fengxiang: Mgr Peter Li Huiyuan, former underground bishop, becomes official bishop, retrieved July 16th 2023
  2. https://www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/shehui/ex-06242020100306.html, 从“地下”到“地上” 中国任命地下主教为官方主教, 自由亚洲电台,retrieved July 16th 2023