ASIA/TAIWAN - The Pope appoints Bishop of Hsinchu

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI on 6 April 2006 appointed Bishop of Hsinchu (Taiwan) Rev. John Baptist Lee Keh-mien, until now rector of the Inter-diocesan Seminary at Hsinchuang archdiocese of Taipei.
Bishop elect John Baptist Lee Keh-mien was born at Tainan Hsien (Diocese of Tainan) 23 August 1958. After secondary school he studied Chinese Culture at the State University and obtained a degree in agriculture (1980). He completed his military service and entered St Thomas major seminary in Taipei. He continued his studies in philosophy at Fu Jen Catholic University and was then sent to study theology at St. Patrick’s University in Maynooth, Ireland. He was ordained in Hsinchu on 27 May 1990. Since his ordination he has been: rector of the minor and major seminaries and parish priest. He has a degree in Canon Law from San Tomaso University in Manila, Philippines (2002). Since 2003 he has been rector of Hsinchuang inter-diocesan seminary in the archdiocese Taipei.
Hsinchu diocese created in 1961, suffragan of the archdiocese of Taipei has an area of 4,750 sq., km., and a population of 3,225,165 of whom 52,090 are Catholics gathered in 82 parishes looked after by 102 priests (52 diocesan and 50 religious), 165 Sisters and there are 4 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 7/4/2006; Righe 17; Parole 224)