Hundreds of Catholics packed Shanghai's cathedral yesterday for the consecration of a new bishop.

Joseph Xing Wenzhi, 42, was made auxiliary bishop in a ceremony led by Shanghai Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian, the representative of the church who at age 89 is giving up many of his administrative duties.

Born into a devoutly Catholic family in Shandong Province, Xing has two brothers and a sister. He entered Sheshan Hill Abbey in September 1983. "I often saw Xing sincerely pray in church when he was studying in our abbey. He is a very pure and honest cleric," said priest Yao Jingxing.

Xing has years of experience as a church educator and has traveled extensively abroad as part of the Chinese church's work to build ties abroad.

(Shanghai Daily June 29, 2005)