ASIA/VIETNAM - Auxiliary Bishop of Hanoi appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on October 15, 2008, nominated Father Laurent Chu Van Minh, Rector of the Hanoi Major Seminary, Auxiliary Bishop of Hanoi (Vietnam), assigning him the Titular See of Tinisa di Numidia.
Father Laurent Chu Van Minh was born December 27, 1943 in Nam Dinh, Archdiocese of Hanoi. He studied philosophy and theology in Nam Dinh (1960-1967) and in Hanoi (1992-1994). He spent a long time living with his family, working as a barber, collaborating in his home parish, teaching catechesis, etc., as the government did not allow him to become a priest. He was finally ordained a priest on June 10, 1994, at 51 years of age. After his ordination, he served as Parish Vicar in Nam Dinh (1994-1995). He was later sent to Rome to finish his studies at the Pontifical University Urbaniana (1995-2000), where he earned a doctorate in Dogmatic Theology. Returning to the Diocese, he was appointed Professor of Theology at the Major Seminary in Hanoi (2001-2005), Prefect of Studies at the same Seminary (2002-2003), Vice-Rector (2003-2005) and since 2005 he has served as Rector of the same Major Seminary. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 15/10/2008)