Apostolic Prefecture of

Xining 西寧

China

Continent: South and East Asia

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Apostolic Prefecture

Name: Xining 西寧 (中文) / Sining / Xīníng 西宁 (简体中文) / Siningen(sis) (Latin)

Immediately subject to the Holy See

Neighbouring Dioceses: Xinjiang 新疆 (↖), Lanzhou 蘭州 (→), Chengdu 成都 (↘), Kangding 康定 (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Now Governed by Patriotic Diocese: Xining 西寧 Uncanonical Diocese

Celebrations

Liturgical Calendar (Universal) 📅

History

1848.09: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Kokonur 青海湖 (中文) / Khouhkou-noor / Kokonoor / Qīnghǎihú 青海湖 (简体中文)
1861: Suppressed
1937.02.04: Restored as Apostolic Prefecture of Xining 西寧 (中文) / Sining / Xīníng 西宁 (简体中文) / Siningen(sis) (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Lanchowfu 蘭州府)

Present Prelates

Prefect Apostolic (1991 – ...):

Bishop Matthias Gu Zheng (顧征), S.J. (89)

Ordinaries

Prefects Apostolic of Xining 西寧 (Roman Rite)

Bishop Matthias Gu Zheng (顧征), S.J. (89)
(1991 – ...)

Prefect Apostolic of Xining 西寧 (China)

Born:	1937.02.17 (China)
Ordained Priest:	1982.07.30
Consecrated Bishop:	1991.09.11 (clandestinely)

Prefect Apostolic of Xining 西寧 (China) (1991 – ...)

Fr. Hieronimus Haberstroh, S.V.D.
(1937.11.12 – 1969.08.13)

Born:	1893.09.26 (Germany)
Ordained Priest:	1923.01.28
Died:	1969.08.13 († 75)

Prefect Apostolic of Xining 西寧 (China) (1937.11.12 – 1969.08.13)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral, Xining 西寧, Qinghai

Xinjiang 新疆 (↖), Lanzhou 蘭州 (→), Chengdu 成都 (↘), Kangding 康定 (↓)

Statistics (1950.12.31)

Area: 728,198 km²

Population: 4,144 Catholics (0.4% of 1,000,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 57 parishes

Personnel: 11 priests (religious), 24 religious (4 brothers, 20 sisters), 2 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2026.03.30

© 2026 GCatholic.org