Pope Francis has appointed Stephen Lee Bun-san as Macau's new bishop after his predecessor resigned due to health problems. 

Bishop Stephen Lee Bun-san was the Auxiliary Bishop of Hong Kong. He was confirmed in a mass at the Cathedral of the Nativity of Our Lady in Macau. He is 59 years old. The church was filled with more than 1,000 devoted Catholics during the announcement. People from Hong Kong and China's Guangdong province were present at the gathering. Macau and Hong Kong are China's Special Administrative Regions (SARs). 

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The confirmation was scheduled in time for the 440th anniversary of the Macau Diocese. It was established in 1576 by Pope Gregory. 

"I'm very moved by the affection of so many people, especially with what I saw and felt today," the new Bishop said. 

Macau's former Bishop José Lai was also present. The 70-year-old priest had to step down because of his deteriorating health. He is set to become the city's Bishop Emeritus. 

"I'm expecting the Catholics to be united, to live charity very well with other people, to overcome our differences, as Pope Francis reminded as at the beginning of the year," Bishop Lee Bun-san said.

His episcopal coat-of-arms reads "ut omnes unum sint," which translates to "that they may all be one." 

Bishop Lee Bun-san does not any have plans yet, but promised that he will visit all the parishes to "listen to views on how to promote evangelization and cultural exchange in the diocese." 

Furthermore, he told the local press that Chinese values such as cultivating oneself, putting one's family in order, governing the state, and pacifying the world are important.  The Hong Kong-born bishop added that families, marriages, education, and young people's formation are his primary concerns for the well-being of society. 

TagsMacau, new bishop, Pope Francis, Stephen Lee Bun-san, Jose Lai