Melchior Zhang Kexing Explained

Type:Bishop
Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Xiwanzi
Appointed:-->
Term Start:24 November 1951
Term End:6 November 1988
Retired:-->
Predecessor:Leon-Jean-Marie De Smedt
Successor:Andrew Hao
Melchior Zhang Kexing
Church:Cathedral in Chongli
Archdiocese:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Suiyuan
Ordination:18 March 1939
Birth Date:6 January 1914
Birth Place:Chahar province, China
Death Place:Xunahua, China
Tomb:-->
Nationality:Chinese
Religion:Roman Catholic
Partner:-->

Melchior Zhang Kexing (; 6 January 1914 – 6 November 1988) was a Chinese Catholic priest and Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Xiwanzi between 1951 and 1988.[1]

Biography

Melchior Zhang Kexing was born into a wealthy family in Xiwanzi of Zhangjiakou, Chahar province, on 6 January 1914. He was ordained a priest on 18 March 1939. He became Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Xiwanzi on 3 November 1949. On 24 May 1951, Bishop Leon-Jean-Marie De Smedt of Belgium held a consecration ceremony for him. On 24 November 1951, Bishop Leon-Jean-Marie De Smedt died in the prison of Zhangjiakou, and Melchior Zhang Kexing took over as Bishop. The Communist government also arrested Melchior Zhang Kexing, who was sentenced to 10 years of forced labour camp for opposing the triple autonomy of the churches, which involved breaking ties with the Holy See. In 1979, still a prisoner, he was transferred to Baoding as an interpreter, which significantly improved his living conditions. In February 1985, he lived with his sister in Xuanhua District, where he died on 6 November 1988.

References

Notes and References

  1. News: Bishop Melchior Zhang Kexing (Chang K'o-hing) . 14 November 2021 . catholic-hierarchy.org . 2021.