According to AsiaNews, the Archdiocese of Xi'an consecrated a new auxiliary bishop Monsignor Anthony Dan Mingyan with the approval of both Holy See and the Chinese government, making him the second auxiliary bishop appointed by both parties since the consecration of Shanghai auxiliary bishop Xin.

At age 38, Msgr Anthony Dang Mingyan was consecrated on July 26 at the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne. Archbishop Msgr Anthony Li Duan presided over the celebration of 2000 Catholics and 100 priests. The feast took place at St. Francis Cathedral.

In contrast to the previous ordination in Shanghai, no foreign priest or guests outside of China was present at the ceremonies.

Archbishop Anthony Li Duan, age 78, is currently the vice-president of the Bishop's Council of the Catholic Church in China. He founded a formation sections for the nuns of seminary in Xi¦an in 1997 and opened the first Church-run social service center in 2002. Last year, he was diagnosed with cancer and has since paid frequent visits to the hospital. Many believed that due to the Archbishop's health, that the new auxiliary bishop would be his likely successor.

Bishop Anthony Dang Mingyan had been the parish priest of St. Anthony's Church, which was opened since 2003. He was also the director of the diocesan financial commission. On his appointment, he noted that one of his main tasks will be to motivate priests and laypeople to evangelize.