He was openly installed and ordained as the Chinese bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Handan on May 29, 1988.[1] Unlike other bishops, Chen's appointment was supported both by the Vatican and the government of the People's Republic of China.[1] As bishop, Chen oversaw the construction of the Dazhong Hospital within the diocese, which opened in 1994.[1] He also built ten health care clinics throughout the diocese, which is located in northern China.[1]
He remained at that post until his retirement in 1999.[1]
Chen died on November 5, 2009, at the Dazhong Hospital (大众医院), which he built, at the age of 96.[2] At the time of his death, Chen was the oldest Catholic bishop in China.[1] His funeral was held on November 11, 2009, in church in the village of Qiancaozhuang, Yongnian District, Handan.[1]
