ASIA/VIET NAM The Pope appoints new Auxiliary Bishop of Hue

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope John Paul II on 19 February 2005, appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the archdiocese of Hue (Vietnam) Reverend François Xavier Le Van Hong, parish priest, responsible for on-going formation in theology of the clergy in the archdiocese, assigning to him the titular see of Gadiaufala.
The new Bishop was born at Tri Buu, Quang Tri, archdiocese of Hue 30 June 1940. He studied at Hue minor seminary (1953-1961), at the pontifical major seminary at Dalat (1961-1969) and completed his studies in Canon Law at the Catholic Institute in Paris (1999-2002). Ordained a priest on 21 December 1969 for the archdiocese of Hue he has since been: professor at Hue minor seminary (1970/1973), in charge of vocations (1973/1974), military chaplain (1974/1975), parish priest at Truoi (1975/1999). Since 2002 he has been parish priest at Phu Hau, Hué, and in charge of on-going formation in theology of the clergy in the archdiocese.
Hue archdiocese, formerly northern, Cocincina (27 August 1850), formerly Vicariate apostolic (3 December 1924), was created on 24 November 1960 and it has 5 suffragan dioceses. Situated in central Vietnam is has an area of 12,227 sq. Km., and a population of 2,007,000 including 64,000 Catholics, 71 diocesan priests, 588 women religious, 40 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 21/2/2005; Righe 16; Parole 194)