The Vatican is said to approve of the new bishop appointed to help the state-controlled diocese's ailing leader
Shanghai's state-controlled Catholic Church yesterday named Xing Wenzhi as an auxiliary bishop, making him the likely future leader of one of the mainland's most important dioceses.
Although the appointment defies the Vatican, which does not have diplomatic ties with Beijing, church sources say the new bishop has the Holy See's approval.
Hopes for a thaw in relations between the two sides have increased since the installation of Pope Benedict in April. Beijing broke ties with the Vatican in 1951 and appoints its own bishops.
Bishop Xing, 42, will serve concurrently with Bishop Aloysius Jin Luxian , 89, who suffers from diabetes and other health problems.
More than 1,000 worshippers filled Shanghai's historic Cathedral of St Ignatius in sweltering heat to watch the consecration.
'I come every Sunday, but this ceremony is special. This is happening in our own home,' said one middle-aged woman.