The ceremony was held this morning in the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Ankang, about 360 km south of Xian.
The newly ordained bishop has expressed profound gratitude to the elderly bishop of the diocese, Msgr. John Ye Ronghua, for his encouragement and support to young priests.
Msgr. Ye, 85, has been ill for some time and could not take part in the liturgy. The ordination was presided by Msgr. Yang Xiaoting of Yulin, along with other bishops of Shaanxi region: Msgr. Dang Mingyan of Xian, Msgr. Yu Runchen of Hanzhong, Msgr. Tong Changping of Weinan, Msgr. Wu Jingqin of Zhouzhi, Msgr. Han Yinjin of Sanyuan.
The Mass was attended by at least 50 priests from different dioceses of the province, more than 200 faithful and more than 30 nuns.
The celebration was presided by Msgr. Yang Xiaoting who asked for prayers for the new bishop, with the hope that he can live his new responsibilities courageously and guide his flock in the evangelization of society.
Msgr. Wang and all participants bishops are in communion with the Pope and are also recognized by the Chinese government. According to AsiaNews sources, the papal mandate to Msgr. Wang was read "privately" in a meeting with all the priests, before the celebration.
Msgr. Xiaoxun Wang was born in 1966 and completed his studies in Xian seminary. Ordained priest by the deceased bishop of Xian Msgr. Anthony Li Duan in 1992, he served several parishes. In 2005 he was appointed parish priest of the cathedral Ankang. He had been elected coadjutor bishop of Ankang October 13, 2010.
The diocese led by Msgr. Ye and Msgr. Wang is very small and poor. It has nine priests and six nuns who serve 5 thousand faithful.