New Vietnamese bishops appointed after Vatican-Vietnam negotiations

June 18, 2013

Pope Francis has appointed two new bishops in Vietnam, with the announcement coming the day after the conclusion of the latest round of negotiations between the Vatican and the Vietnamese government.

The Pope appointed Father Nguyen Huu Long as an auxiliary bishop of Hung Hoa, and Father Pierre Nguyen Van Vien as auxiliary of Vinh.

In a series of talks, representatives of the Holy See and the Vietnamese government have been working to restore diplomatic ties. The Vatican has also sought to ease restrictions on the activities of the Church in Vietnam. For years the government had blocked the appointment of new bishops and limited the number of young men admitted to seminary training.

 

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Further information:

• Vietnamese Catholics celebrate new auxiliary bishops in Vinh and Hung Hoa (AsiaNews)
• Vietnam, Vatican report progress toward diplomatic ties (CWN, 6/14)