Country's 1st bishop ordained in 3 years

Govt, Vatican concur on new appointment

The Catholic diocese in Anyang, Henan province, has ordained the country's first Catholic bishop in more than three years-an appointment recognized by the country's religious authorities and the Roman Catholic Church.

Father Joseph Zhang Yinlin, 44, was ordained coadjutor bishop of Anyang on Aug 4 in a ceremony attended by more than 1,500 people, including 75 priests and 120 nuns, said Li Jianlin, a spokesman for the Catholic diocese in Henan province.