Paolo Liu Honggang received episcopal consecration as the new Bishop of Datong in Shanxi Province, China, on August 31. His appointment was made by Pope Leo XIV on August 10, following the approval of his candidacy within the framework of the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China.
Born on November 2, 1970, in the village of Wufuying near Taiyuan, Bishop Liu completed his theological education at the Fenyang Seminary from 1988 to 1992 and the National Seminary in Beijing from 1992 to 1996, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in Theology. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Datong on November 24, 1996.
Throughout his priestly ministry, Bishop Liu served in various pastoral roles across the diocese, including as parish priest in Zhangguantun from 1996 to 1999, Xubao from 2000 to 2003, and Xihehe from 2003 to 2005. Prior to his episcopal ordination, he had served as the diocesan administrator of Datong since March 15, 2005.