ASIA/VIETNAM - Reverend Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh appointed Bishop of Thanh Hoa

Saturday, 12 June 2004

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II has, 21 May 2004, appointed Bishop of Thanh Hoa (Vietnam) Reverend Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, presently Professor at Nha Trang Major Seminary.

The Bishop elect was born on 22 November 1949 at Ba Lang, Tinh Giaia, Thanh Hoa, of good Christian parents of humble social conditions. He attended Nha Trang minor seminary (1962-67), and afterwards studied at Divine Providence College at Hue (1967/68), Good Shepherd College Nha Trang (1968/70) and the Pontifical College in Dalat (1970/77). Due to political events in his country he was obliged to return home and work hard for 14 years while helping out in Song My parish, Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan. He was ordained a priest on 20 December 1992 for the diocese of Nha Trang. He was assistant priest at Phuoc Thien for three years (1992-1995). Between 1995 and 2003 he studied at the Catholic Institute in Paris obtaining a Doctorate in Philosophy. He returned to his diocese in November in 2003. At present he teaches at Nha Trang Major Seminary.
Tranh Hoa diocese has an area of 11,168 sq. km., a population of 3,467,000, including, 125,674 Catholics gathered in 46 parishes, assisted by 40 diocesan priests and 148 women Religious and there are 37 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/6/2004; Righe 16; Parole 210)


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