ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Resignation of the Bishop of Jeonju, appointment of successor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On March 14, 2017 the Holy Father accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the diocese of Jeonju (Korea), presented by His Exc. Mgr. Vincent Ri Pyung-ho. The Holy Father appointed Rev. John Kim Son-Tae, of Samcheon-dong parish in Jeonju as Bishop of Jeonju (Korea).
The new Bishop was born on 15 September 1961, in Yeosan-myeon, diocese of Jeonju.
He studied Philosophy and Theology at the Major Seminary of Gwangju, where he also obtained a Master in the years 1988-1989. He was ordained a priest on 20 January 1989 for the diocese of Jeonju.
Since his ordination he has served the following pastoral and academic roles: 1989-1990: Parish Vicar of Jeon-dong Parish; 1990-1992: Parish Vicar of Dunyul-dong Parish; 1992-1997: Studies for a Licentiate and a Doctorate in Fundamental Theology at the University of Fribourg, Switzerland; 1997-2003: Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Institute; 2003-2006: Pastor of Solnae Parish; 2006-2009: again Director of the Diocesan Catechetical Institute; 2009- 2013: Pastor of Hwasan Parish; 2013-2016: Pastor of Yunjy-dong Parish; since 2016: parish priest of Samcheong-dong Parish.
The diocese of Jeonju, erected in 1962, is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Gwangju. It has an area of 8,067 square kilometers and a population of 1,869,711 inhabitants, of whom 195,094 are Catholics. There are 95 parishes, 214 diocesan priests and 2 religious, 341 religious women and 39 major seminarians. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 14/03/2017)

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