Joseph Tong Changping


Joseph Tong Changping is a Chinese Catholic priest and Bishop of the since 2002.

Biography

Tong was born on December 6, 1968 in Shaanxi. From 1991 to 1994, he studied theology and philosophy at the Seminary of Xi'an Archdiocese. He continued to study law and political science at Shaanxi Academy of Political Science. On January 6, 1997, he was ordained a priest when he was 29 years old. After being ordained, he became professor of law at the diocesan seminary. He was also a superior priest and spiritual director in the. On November 4, 2002, he was ordained a bishop by Bishop Lawrence Zhang Wenbin. Despite being ordained by a bishop illegally, but the Holy See still recognized his episcopal office and appointed him Bishop of the. His episcopal ordination was held in December 2003.