ASIA/VIETNAM - Bishop of Ban Mê Thuôt appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on February 21, 2009, appointed Fr. Vincent Nguyên Van Ban, head of seminarian formation for the Diocese of Quy Nhon and professor at the Nha Trang Major Seminary, as Bishop of Ban Mê Thuôt (Vietnam).
Fr. Vincent Nguyên Van Ban was born on November 25, 1956 and baptized in the parish of Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen, Diocese of Qui Nhon. He attended the Qui Nhon Minor Seminary (1968-75) and later studied philosophy and theology at the Diocesan formation center (Major Seminary) in Mang Lang, Tuy An, Phu Yên (1975-88). During his studies, he worked and performed pastoral services at the parish of Tuy Hoa (1988-1993). He was ordained a priest on September 16, 1993, for the Diocese of Qui Nhon. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: parish vicar of Tuy Hoa (1993-6); studies at the Paris Catholic Institute (1996-2005) where he earned a degree in Biblical Theology. Since 2005, he has worked as head of seminarian formation for the Diocese of Qui Nhon, while teaching at the Major Seminary in Nha Trang. He was appointed as an expert in the recent XII Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops (October 5-26, 2008).
The Diocese of Ban Mê Thuôt was erected in 1967 and is suffragan of the Archdiocese of Hue. It covers an area of 21,723 km, with 2,608,397 inhabitants (338,690 Catholics), 99 parishes, 106 priests (93 diocesan and 13 religious), 35 religious men, 40 seminarians, and 350 religious women. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2009)