Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa, of the clergy of Paksé, Laos, until now apostolic administrator of Paksé, as vicar apostolic of the same vicariate.
Msgr. Andrew Souksavath Nouane Asa was born on 5 August 1972 in Paksé, where he attended the minor seminary from 1988 to 1991. From 1992 to 1996 he carried out his postgraduate studies at the Pedagogical University of Vientiane, obtaining a licentiate in English teaching. From 1998 to 2002 he studied philosophy at the Seminary of Christ the King, British Columbia, Canada, and from 2002 to 2005 he studied theology at Saint Joseph Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in theology.
He was ordained a priest on 30 December 2006 for the apostolic vicariate of Paksé.
After priestly ordination, he first served as pastor in charge of ten mission stations (2007-2009); youth director of the apostolic vicariate of Paksé (2007- 2012). He then carried out further studies in dogmatic theology at Saint Vincent School of Theology, Adamson University, in Manila, Philippines (2008-2010). He went on to serve as pastor in charge of twelve mission stations (2010-2017) and since 2012, visiting professor of philosophy at Saint Jean-Marie Vianney Major Seminary in Savannakhet. Since 2017 he has been pastor in charge of ten mission stations (Bolivene Region) and until now apostolic administrator sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis of the apostolic vicariate of Paksé.
Since 2019, he has been Secretary General of the Episcopal Conference of Laos and Cambodia (CELAC). (SL) (Agenzia Fides, 31/5/2022)