The Most Reverend

Joseph Li Shan
Archbishop of Beijing
Li in 2014
ChurchCatholic Church
ArchdioceseBeijing
SeeBeijing
PredecessorNo immediate predecessor
Thomas Tien Ken-sin (1946-1967)
SuccessorIncumbent
Other post(s)Parish priest at St. Joseph's Church
Orders
Consecration21 September 2007
RankArchbishop
Personal details
BornMarch 1965
NationalityChinese
DenominationCatholic
MottoOmnia Omnibus (English: All things to all men)
(Chinese: 对一切人，就成为一切; duì yī qiè rén， jiù chéng wéi yī qiè)
Coat of armsJoseph Li Shan's coat of arms

Joseph Li Shan (Chinese: 李山; pinyin: Lǐ Shān; born March 1965 in Daxing District, Beijing) is a Chinese Catholic prelate who serves as Archbishop of Beijing. He was consecrated a bishop on 21 September 2007, at age 42 at a ceremony at Nan Tang (South Cathedral) in Xuanwumen. His main consecrator to become bishop was John Fang Xingyao. Before becoming archbishop he served as parish priest of Saint Joseph's Church in Wangfujing.[1]

Shan also serves as the President of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association.[2]

Biography

Li Shan was born in March 1965 in Daxing District, Beijing. His appointment as Archbishop of Beijing was approved by the Vatican. This approval was granted before his ordination, as happened for several other in the early years of the 21st century, unlike others, of an earlier period, of whom Pope Benedict XVI wrote that they, "under the pressure of particular circumstances, have consented to receive episcopal ordination without the pontifical mandate, but have subsequently asked to be received into communion with the Successor of Peter and with their other brothers in the episcopate. The Pope, considering the sincerity of their sentiments and the complexity of the situation, and taking into account the opinion of neighbouring Bishops, by virtue of his proper responsibility as universal Pastor of the Church, has granted them the full and legitimate exercise of episcopal jurisdiction."[3]

He became a vice-president of the state-controlled Chinese Bishops' Conference and the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association along with 16 other bishops who were assigned the same role in 2016.[4] He became a representative on the Ethnic and Religious Affairs Committee for the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference in 2018.[5] He became President of the Patriotic Association in 2022.[2]

Views

Li Shan has spoken publicly in support of the Chinese government's push for Sinicization of religion in China, including support for the church in China selecting bishops on its own. In 2019 he made an address at the Beijing Catholic Forum for Sinicization of Theology further illustrating these views. On the occasion, he said: "Catholicism tells us that love for one's country is the fourth commandment of the decalogue...Be subject to every human institution for the Lord's sake...Supporting the leadership of the Communist Party and fervently loving our socialist motherland is the basic premise for upholding our country's direction to Sinicize religion." He spoke favourably of the efforts made thus far to sinicize the church in China as well as the history of the church in China since the episcopal reforms in the late 1950s.[6]

In August 2022, at the 10th National Congress on Catholicism in China, Li Shan was elected President of the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Association (CPCA),[7] The congress issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to sinicizataion, independence of the church, and increasing patriotism.[8]

In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI said the CPCA was at odds with the role of the international Catholic Church,[2][9] though the two have since reconciled with a formal agreement that the CPCA select bishops, which are approved or vetoed by the Holy See.[10][11]

The CPCA is closely aligned with the pro-Sinicization policies of General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jinping, promoting the "one direction, one road and one flag" position of the Chinese Communist Party.[12]

Bishop Li Shan has done public prayer asking for diplomatic relations to be established between the Holy See and China. [13]

On his 2023 visit to Hong Kong, he spoke of the importance of building unity between mainland Catholics and Catholics in Hong Kong, through evangelization efforts in line with sinicization. [14]

Activities

2011

In 2011, Bishop Li Shan was co-consecrator along with six other bishops in a canonically illicit episcopal ordination for the bishop of Leshan. This act carried a possible penalty of excommunication for all involved, if they are considered imputable within the framework of canon law.[15][16][17][18][19] The offence would not be imputable in canon law if the bishops who engaged in the act were coerced or under fear of coercion.[20][21]

2021

On July 1, 2021, for celebrating the centenary celebrations of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Bishop Li Shan organized a watch party of CCP general secretary Xi Jinping's speech at the bishop's residence in Beijing.[22]

In September 2021, he served as co-consecrator for Cui Qingqi's appointment as the new bishop of Wuhan. The appointment was done within the framework of the Sino-Vatican agreement.[23]

On Christmas 2021, Bishop Li Shan announced a year for the 'Son of God', which followed 2021's 'Year of God'. The parishes in Beijing, which had suffered many closures due to Covid restrictions, reportedly developed their own pastoral programs to put into practice for celebrating this special year.[24]

2022

For Lent 2022, while churches in Beijing remained closed due to Covid restrictions, Bishop Li Shan issued a pastoral letter for Lent encouraging the faithful to engage in "abstinence from speech, eyes, ears, internet, bad temper and negative temperament". He also said to overcome the pandemic and its challenges "we need even more the power of faith". He also made a commitment to "accompany catechumens to live a life of holiness, incarnating the image of Jesus Christ".[25]

On July 16, 2022, Bishop Li Shan held a mass at the North Cathedral where more than 100 people were initiated into the church. This was the first day that the church had been re-opened after having been closed since January of that year due to COVID restrictions.[26]

On July 24, 2022, to celebrate the World Day of Grandparents and the Elderly, Bishop Li Shan held a special mass and did group photos as well as gave small symbolic gifts.[27]

On August 15, 2022, the solemnity of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, he gave mass at the North Cathedral in Beijing and said on the occasion: "We must imitate the fidelity and humility of Our Lady in our daily life and always pray according to her example".[28]

In August 2022, he attended the 10th National Congress on Catholicism in China, where he was elected as President of the Patriotic Association. The congress issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to several principles including sinicizataion of the Catholic Church in China, independence of the church, increasing patriotism, as well as implementing the plans for the church made at the congress and to assimilate the spirit of the Central United Front Work Conference and the National Religious Work Conference, which had taken place in December of the previous year.[29][30][31]

At the end of December 2022, the Beijing archdiocese announced that churches were going to be reopened on January 1. They had been previously shut down due to COVID restrictions. Bishop Li Shan gave a dispensation to the elderly, the seriously ill and people infected with Covid from Sunday Mass.[32]

2023

In February 2023, it was reported that Bishop Li Shan had given mandate to 11 extraordinary ministers of communion in Beijing to distribute communion to the homes of sick and elderly.[33]

Bishop Stephen Chow of the diocese of Hong Kong came to Beijing in April 2023 at Bishop Li Shan's invitation. This was the first time a Hong Kong bishop had visited the mainland for decades.[34] Bishop Chow also said that he had invited Li Shan to come to visit Hong Kong.[35]

In April 2023, Bishop Li Shan attended the installation of the new bishop of Shanghai and gave the address. The installation was not conducted with the Holy See's approval.[36]

For the Day of Vocations 2023, Li Shan asked priests to put calls to the priesthood and religious life at the centre of their homilies.[37]

On the feast of Saint Mark in 2023, Bishop Li Shan ordained a man to the priesthood. On the occasion he called on the newly ordained "to follow the example of Christ, the eternal High Priest, and to fulfill his duties as a minister and the task of sanctification with joy and love, to serve the faithful and work for the salvation of souls, following in the footsteps of the Good Shepherd by devoting himself to the edification of the family of the Church".[38]

For the Feast of the Sacred Heart in 2023, he visited a parish in Yongning that was celebrating its 150th year anniversary. On the occasion he called on people 'to dedicate themselves, their families and their parishes to the Sacred Heart of Jesus'[39]

On July 16th, 2023, Bishop Li visited the Xizhimen Church and held a special mass in celebration of the parish's 300-year anniversary.[40]

At the end of July 2023, Bishop Li Shan and other bishops held a meeting in Pingliang where they called for the Sinicization of Catholic seminaries. [41]

In August 2023, Bishop Li welcome four new postulants into the Beijing-based religious order, the Sisters of Saint Joseph. The bishop spoke that only in joy can the baptized accept their mission. [42]

In November 2023, Bishop Li visited Hong Kong as a reciprocal visit after Hong Kong's Bishop Chow visited Beijing earlier in the year. [43]

On December 30th 2023, Bishop Li Shan inaugurated a new church dedicated to St John in Beijing's Economic-Technological Development Area. [44]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "The new Bishop of Beijing is elected". AsiaNews. 2007-07-18. Retrieved 2014-11-07.
  2. 1 2 3 "New leader for Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association". www.catholicculture.org. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  3. ↑ Letter of 27 May 2007 to the Bishops, Priests, Consecrated Persons and Lay Faithful of the Catholic Church in the People's Republic of China
  4. ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20170704023017/http://www.sara.gov.cn/xwzx/xwjj/379855.htm, archived article from : http://www.sara.gov.cn/xwzx/xwjj/379855.htm, SARA: 中国天主教第九次全国代表会议胜利闭幕, retrieved August 23rd 2022
  5. ↑ http://www.xinhuanet.com/politics/2018lh/2018-03/16/c_1122548927.htm, （受权发布）中国人民政治协商会议第十三届全国委员会各专门委员会委员名单, Xinhua, retrieved August 23rd 2022
  6. ↑ "Joseph Li Shan's remarks at the Beijing Catholic Forum 2019". 在2019年北京市天主教中国化神学思想研讨会上的致辞 Tianguang newspaper. 11 May 2020. Archived from the original on 20 April 2021. Retrieved 3 May 2021.
  7. ↑ "Beijing Archbishop Li Shan to lead the Patriotic Association". www.asianews.it. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  8. ↑ "中国天主教第十次全国代表会议闭幕". finance.sina.com.cn. 22 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  9. ↑ Rosenthal, Elisabeth (1 July 2007). "Pope Urges Reconciliation for China's Catholics". The New York Times. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  10. ↑ "Chinese bishops reportedly met with Hong Kong clerics on sinicization". Catholic News Agency. 31 December 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  11. ↑ McCallister, Doreen (23 September 2018). "China And Vatican Sign Agreement On Appointment Of Bishops". NPR. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  12. ↑ "China accelerates Sinicization of Catholic Church - UCA News". ucanews.com. 5 October 2021. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  13. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/74141-ASIA_CHINA_The_Bishop_of_Beijing_prays_for_diplomatic_ties_between_China_and_the_Holy_See_to_be_established_as_soon_as_possible, ASIA/CHINA - The Bishop of Beijing prays for diplomatic ties between China and the Holy See to be established "as soon as possible", agenzia fides, retrieved September 2nd 2023
  14. ↑ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256065/china-s-top-patriotic-bishop-stresses-unity-sinicization-to-guide-evangelization, China’s top patriotic bishop stresses unity, sinicization to guide evangelization, CNA, retrieved December 16th 2023
  15. ↑ https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/some-questions-regarding-the-leshan-ordination-1265, Some Questions Regarding the Leshan Ordination, CEP, retrieved January 19th 2023
  16. ↑ https://www.asianews.it/news-en/Leshan:-seven-legitimate-bishops-take-part-in-Episcopal-ordination-that-had-no-papal-mandate-21969.html, Leshan: seven legitimate bishops take part in Episcopal ordination that had no papal mandate, Asia News, retrieved January 19th 2023
  17. ↑ https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/it/bollettino/pubblico/2011/07/04/0421/01055.html, Holy See Press Office, STATEMENT OF THE HOLY SEE: EPISCOPAL ORDINATION IN THE DIOCESE OF LESHAN (PROVINCE OF SICHUAN, MAINLAND CHINA), 04.07.2011, retrieved January 19th 2023
  18. ↑ https://www.rfi.fr/cn/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD/20110707-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E4%B8%8E%E6%A2%B5%E8%92%82%E5%86%88%E6%95%99%E5%BB%B7%E9%97%B4%E6%9C%AC%E5%B7%B2%E5%9B%B0%E9%9A%BE%E7%9A%84%E5%85%B3%E7%B3%BB%E5%86%8D%E5%BA%A6%E8%B6%8B%E4%BA%8E%E7%B4%A7%E5%BC%A0, RFI, 中国与梵蒂冈教廷间本已困难的关系再度趋于紧张, retrieved January 19th 2023
  19. ↑ https://chinadigitaltimes.net/chinese/165950.html, 法广：中国与梵蒂冈教廷间本已困难的关系再度趋于紧张, 中国数字时代， retrieved January 19th 2023
  20. ↑ https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/22895/chinese-bishops-face-excommunication-for-unapproved-ordination, Chinese bishops face excommunication for unapproved ordination, CNA, retrieved January 19th 2023
  21. ↑ https://www.lastampa.it/vatican-insider/en/2011/07/04/news/other-bishops-risk-excommunication-in-china-1.36949373/, Other bishops risk excommunication in China, La Stampa, retrieved January 19th 2023
  22. ↑ https://fsspx.news/en/news-events/news/chinese-catholics-and-centenary-communist-party-68136 Chinese Catholics and the Centenary of the Communist Party, fsspx news, retrieved August 25th 2021
  23. ↑ https://www.heraldmalaysia.com/news/fr-cui-qingqi-ordained-bishop-of-wuhan/61580/2, Fr Cui Qingqi ordained Bishop of Wuhan, Herald Malaysia Online, retrieved September 9th 2021
  24. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/71686-ASIA_CHINA_Chinese_Catholic_communities_are_living_the_new_pastoral_year_intensely_in_a_synodal_spirit, ASIA/CHINA - Chinese Catholic communities are living the new pastoral year intensely, in a synodal spirit, Agenzia fides, retrieved February 22nd 2022
  25. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/71793-ASIA_CHINA_Spirituality_concrete_abstinence_conversion_pandemic_the_Bishops_Lenten_recommendations_to_accompany_the_synodal_journey_of_the_communities, Agenzia Fides, ASIA/CHINA - Spirituality, concrete abstinence, conversion, pandemic: the Bishops' Lenten recommendations to accompany the synodal journey of the communities, retrieved March 10th 2022
  26. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/72542-ASIA_CHINA_Beijing_Cathedral_reopens_after_6_months_101_catechumens_receive_the_sacraments_of_Christian_initiation, Agenzia Fides, ASIA/CHINA - Beijing Cathedral reopens after 6 months: 101 catechumens receive the sacraments of Christian initiation, retrieved July 19th 2022
  27. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/72623-ASIA_CHINA_A_summer_of_intense_pastoral_activity_for_the_Catholic_community_towards_a_newfound_normality, agenzia fides, ASIA/CHINA - A summer of intense pastoral activity for the Catholic community, towards a newfound normality, retrieved August 4th 2022
  28. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/72670-ASIA_CHINA_Devotion_and_gratitude_of_Chinese_Catholics_on_the_feast_of_the_Assumption, ASIA/CHINA - Devotion and gratitude of Chinese Catholics on the feast of the Assumption, Agenzia Fides, retrieved August 18th 2022
  29. ↑ https://finance.sina.com.cn/jjxw/2022-08-22/doc-imizmscv7161204.shtml?finpagefr=p_115, 中国天主教第十次全国代表会议闭幕, Sina Finance, retrieved August 24th 2022
  30. ↑ https://www.chinacatholic.cn/html/report/22080442-1.htm, 中国天主教， 汪洋会见中国天主教爱国会、中国天主教主教团新一届领导班子， retrieved August 24th 2022
  31. ↑ https://www.detroitcatholic.com/news/new-chinese-catholic-leaders-say-theyll-follow-communist-party-principles, Detroit Catholic, New Chinese Catholic leaders say they'll follow Communist Party principles, retrieved August 24th 2022
  32. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/73227-ASIA_CHINA_On_January_1_2023_all_churches_and_places_of_worship_in_Beijing_will_be_open, agenzia fides, ASIA/CHINA - On January 1, 2023, all churches and places of worship in Beijing will be open, retrieved December 31st 2022
  33. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/73459-ASIA_CHINA_Scrutiny_of_catechumens_mandate_of_altar_servers_ecological_initiatives_The_intense_start_of_Lent_of_the_Chinese_Catholic_communities, ASIA/CHINA - "Scrutiny" of catechumens, "mandate" of altar servers, ecological initiatives. The intense start of Lent of the Chinese Catholic communities, agenzia fides, retrieved March 1st 2023
  34. ↑ https://www.christianitydaily.com/articles/17253/20230316/bishop-stephen-chow-hong-kongs-top-catholic-cleric-visit-beijing-april-a-bridge-between-two-sides.htm, Christianity Daily, Bishop Stephen Chow of Hong Kong's Top Catholic Cleric Visits Beijing on April to be ‘A Bridge Between Two Sides’, retrieved March 17th 2023
  35. ↑ https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/politics/article/3217922/patriotism-everyones-duty-hong-kong-bishop-brushes-aside-politicising-religion-concerns-during, South China Morning Post, ‘Patriotism is everyone’s duty’: Hong Kong bishop brushes aside ‘politicising religion’ concerns during historic Beijing visit, retrieved April 22nd 2023
  36. ↑ https://www.rfi.fr/cn/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD/20230405-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9B%BD%E5%86%8D%E6%AC%A1%E5%8D%95%E6%96%B9%E9%9D%A2%E5%A7%94%E6%B2%88%E6%96%8C%E4%B8%BA%E4%B8%8A%E6%B5%B7%E4%B8%BB%E6%95%99-%E8%A2%AB%E6%8C%87-%E6%8C%91%E6%88%98-%E4%B8%AD%E6%A2%B5%E5%8D%8F%E8%AE%AE, Radio France International, 中国再次单方面委沈斌为上海主教 被指「挑战」中梵协议， retrieved April 6th 2023
  37. ↑ ASIA/CHINA - Day for Vocations: masses, prayers and many initiatives to ask for "new workers for the Lord's vineyard", Agenzia Fides, retrieved April 23rd 2023
  38. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/73701-ASIA_CHINA_New_priestly_ordinations_for_Chinese_dioceses_on_the_feast_of_St_Mark_the_Evangelist, ASIA/CHINA - New priestly ordinations for Chinese dioceses on the feast of St. Mark the Evangelist, Agenzia Fides, retrieved April 28th 2023
  39. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/73906-ASIA_CHINA_Gratitude_and_praise_the_parish_dedicated_to_the_Sacred_Heart_celebrates_the_150th_anniversary_of_its_foundation, ASIA/CHINA - Gratitude and praise: the parish dedicated to the Sacred Heart celebrates the 150th anniversary of its foundation, agenzia fides, retrieved June 20th 2023
  40. ↑ http://www.fides.org/en/news/74014-ASIA_CHINA_The_Church_of_Our_Lady_of_Mount_Carmel_in_Beijing_celebrates_300_years_of_its_foundation_and_pays_homage_to_the_founder_the_missionary_musician_Teodorico_Pedrini, ASIA/CHINA - The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Beijing celebrates 300 years of its foundation and pays homage to the founder, the missionary musician Teodorico Pedrini, Agenzia Fides, retrieved July 18th 2023
  41. ↑ https://www.ucanews.com/news/pro-beijing-bishops-seek-sinicization-of-catholic-seminaries/102211, Pro-Beijing bishops seek ‘sinicization of Catholic seminaries’, ucanews, retrieved August 14th 2023
  42. ↑ https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/47849, independent catholic news, ChIna: Congregation of St Joseph welcomes four postulants, retrieved August 26th 2023
  43. ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/beijing-bishop-makes-historic-visit-hong-kong-china-vatican-tensions-rcna125056, NBC, Beijing bishop makes historic visit to Hong Kong amid China-Vatican tensions, retrieved November 14th 2023
  44. ↑ https://www.indcatholicnews.com/news/48885, China: Two new churches opened, Independent Catholic News, retrieved January 10th 2024
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