Mgr. Paul Meng Qinglu (47) kneels during his Episcopal ordination on April 18, 2010.

The ordination took place in Hohhot, formerly SuiYuan Archdiocese of the CICM China missions. It was presided over by Bp. Paul Pei (Liaoning Diocese). His co-consecrators were Bp. J. Bapt Liu Shigong (Jining, Inner Mongolia), Bp. Du Jiang (Bameng, Inner Mongolia) and Bp. Li Jin (Yinchuan, Ningxia). All are official bishops, appointed by the Pope and recognized by the Chinese government. All are bishops in the former CICM China Missions. Some 80 priests from Hohhot and surrounding dioceses concelebrated. A very large number of faithful of the official as well as of the unofficial (underground) communities attended the celebration. It is expected that during the coming days and weeks more bishops will be ordained in various dioceses in China.