Pope approves Shanghai bishop but Vatican chides China for not consulting

[July 15, 2023]   VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has approved the new bishop of Shanghai on mainland China but the Vatican chided Beijing for transferring him there without first consulting, in violation of bi-lateral accords.

Pope Francis leads the Angelus prayer from his window, at the Vatican, July 9, 2023. Vatican Media/­Handout via REUTERS

A statement on Saturday said the pope had named Bishop Joseph Shen Bin to head the Shanghai diocese, a position that had been vacant for some time.

(Reporting by Philip Pullella; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)

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