Pierre Nguyễn Văn Khảm

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Pierre Nguyễn Văn Khảm (born 2 October 1952) is a Vietnamese Catholic prelate serving as the fourth bishop of the Diocese of Mỹ Tho since 2014. Besides Vietnamese, he is also able to communicate in English, French, and Latin.

Early life and education

Nguyễn Văn Khảm was born on 2 October 1952, in Hà Đông, in what was then the Democratic Republic of Việt Nam. His mother, Mary Magdalene Lý Thị Hảo, was born in 1926.[1] In 1954, Khảm and his family fled to South Vietnam, as a part of Operation Passage to Freedom. From there, he began formation for the priesthood at Saint Quý Minor Seminary in Cái Răng, Cần Thơ in 1963. After finishing his studies there in 1972, he attended Saint Thomas Major Seminary in Long Xuyên from 1973 to 1976, and at Saint Joseph Major Seminary of Sài Gòn from 1977 to 1979 before he was ordained to the priesthood.[2]

Ordination and ministry

Khảm was ordained to the priesthood on 30 August 1980, for the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, and then served as parochial vicar at Ha Dong church (1980–1983). After three years of his first assignment, he was transferred to assume the position of parochial administrator of Ha Noi church. He served the parish until 1987, when he was transferred to Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica of Saigon as parochial vicar and held this position until 1999. Since 1997, he has been a professor at Saint Joseph Seminary of Saigon, concurrently until 1999.

From 2000 to 2004, he furthered his studies at the Catholic University of America and earned a Doctorate of Pastoral Theology. After returning to Vietnam, he served as the Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocesan Pastoral Center.

Episcopal ministry

Auxiliary Bishop of Ho Chi Minh City (2008-2014)

On 15 October 2008, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the Auxiliary Bishop of Hồ Chi Minh City.[3] On 15 November 2008, he was consecrated as bishop by Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Phạm Minh Mẫn of Hồ Chi Minh City. The co-consecrators were Coadjutor Bishop Stephen Tri Bửu Thiên of Cần Thơ and Auxiliary Bishop Joseph Vũ Duy Thống of Hồ Chi Minh City. He served as rector of Saint Joseph Seminary of Saigon from 2011 to 2013.

Bishop of Mỹ Tho (2014-present)

On 26 July 2014, he was appointed Bishop of Mỹ Tho by Pope Francis,[4] and was installed on 30 August 2014.[5]

Within the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam, he has served as General Secretary from 2016 to 2022. His previous posts were Deputy General Secretary (2010–2016) and Chair of the Committee on Social Communications (2010–2013).

On 13 July 2016, Pope Francis appointed Khảm as a member of the Dicastery for Communication.[6]

References

  1. 1."Hình: Lễ mừng đại thọ cửu tuần của Bà Cố Maria Madalena, thân mẫu của Đức Cha Phêrô, ngày 6.8.2016". Diocese of Mỹ Tho. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  2. 2."Tiểu sử Đức Cha Phêrô Nguyễn Văn Khảm". Diocese of Mỹ Tho. Retrieved 15 June 2026.
  3. 3."Nomina di Ausiliare di Hochiminh Ville (Viet Nam)" [Appointment of Auxiliary of Ho Chi Minh City]. Rinunce e Nomine. The Vatican. 15 October 2008.
  4. 4."Nomina de Vescovo di My Tho (Vietnam)" [Appointment of Bishop of My Tho (Viet Nam)]. Rinunce e nomine. 26 July 2014.
  5. 5."The Installation of Bishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Khảm of Diocese of My Tho | Vietnam Church News | Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam | CBCVietNam.org". Archived from the original on 3 November 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  6. 6."Nomina di Membri della Segreteria per la Comunicazione" [Appointment of Members of the Secretariat for Communication]. Rinunce e nomine. 13 July 2016.