China preparing to ordain second bishop amid signs of thaw in ties with Vatican

China is preparing to ordain a second bishop with the Pope’s approval, the spokesman for a Catholic diocese said on Tuesday, a possible sign of easing relations between the Chinese government and the Vatican.

The possible ordination in central Henan province of Cosmos Ji Chengyi as bishop of Zhumadian and last week’s consecration of Joseph Zhang Yinlin as coadjutor bishop of Anyang follow a strained period between Beijing and Rome since 2011 when the Communist body that governs the church appointed bishops without Vatican approval.

China’s 8-12 million Catholics are divided into two communities, an official church run by the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association answerable to the Communist Party and an underground church that swears allegiance only to the Pope.

Zhang was ordained last week as China’s first Catholic bishop in more than three years, said Li Jianlin, a priest and spokesman for Henan diocese.

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He said Zhang and Ji had approval from Rome, although there was no timetable set for Ji’s ordination as the church was undergoing “a lot of preparatory work”.

“Catholics are thrilled because this is the first time since the founding of Henan province that there has been an ordination ceremony recognised by both sides,” Li said, referring to the approval given by Beijing and the Vatican to Zhang’s consecration.