Spiritual retreat of communion and healing for the priests of Zhangjiakou

In brief

Priests from the new Diocese of Zhangjiakou participated in a four-day spiritual retreat from August 31 to September 3. Led by Father John Baptist Zhang, the retreat included evening sessions where priests shared their experiences and spent time together to foster communion.

Bishop Joseph Wang Zhengui accompanied the priests during the retreat. Pope Leo XIV appointed him to lead the new diocese on July 8, 2025, under the Provisional Agreement between the Holy See and the People’s Republic of China. He is scheduled to be ordained on September 10.

The Diocese of Zhangjiakou was established by the Pope on July 8, 2025, replacing the former dioceses of Xuanhua and Xiwanzi. The Holy See stated the reorganization aims to improve pastoral care and the spiritual well-being of the faithful. The change also aligns ecclesiastical boundaries with civil administrative jurisdictions as requested by Chinese political authorities.