Joseph Phuong Nguyen, also known as Joseph Nguyễn Thế Phương (Vietnamese: Giuse Nguyễn Thế Phương; born March 25, 1957), is a Canadian prelate of the Roman Catholic Church. On June 1, 2016, Nguyen became the Bishop-elect of the Diocese of Kamloops.[4] Prior to his appointment, Nguyen held the post of Vicar General for the Archdiocese of Vancouver, second to Archbishop Miller.[5]


Joseph Phuong Nguyen
Bishop of Kamloops
Native name
Giuse Nguyễn Thế Phương
ChurchCatholic
ProvinceVancouver
SeeKamloops
AppointedJune 1, 2016
InstalledAugust 25, 2016
PredecessorDavid Monroe
Previous post(s)
  • Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vancouver (2013–2016)
Orders
OrdinationMay 30, 1992
by Adam Exner
ConsecrationAugust 25, 2016
by J. Michael Miller
Personal details
Born (1957-03-25) March 25, 1957 (age 67)
NationalityVietnamese Canadian
DenominationCatholic
ResidenceKamloops
MottoState in Domino
(English: Stand firm in the Lord)
(Vietnamese: Đứng vững trong Chúa)[1]
Coat of armsJoseph Phuong Nguyen's coat of arms
Ordination history of
Joseph Phuong Nguyen
History
Priestly ordination
Ordained byAdam Exner (Vancouver)
DateMay 30, 1992
PlaceHoly Rosary Cathedral, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Episcopal consecration
Principal consecratorJ. Michael Miller (Vancouver)
Co-consecratorsDavid Monroe (Kamloops em.)
Stephen Jensen (Prince George)
DateAugust 25, 2016
PlaceSandman Centre, Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada
Source(s):[2][3]
Styles of
Joseph Nguyễn Thế Phương
Reference styleThe Most Reverend
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Religious styleYour Excellency

Background

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Nguyễn Thế Phương was born in Vietnam on March 27, 1957. He experienced growing up in a communist country that restricted the faith of its citizens. Nguyen became a minor seminarian at age 11. When the communist government took control of Catholic institutions, Nguyen continued to live out his office and was imprisoned multiple times for training catechists.[5]

Emigration

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Nguyen realized that there would be no opportunity to be ordained a priest in Vietnam and secretly attempted to flee the country, nearly losing his life in the process. He was captured and imprisoned by the government, suffering torture and malnutrition from the hands of his oppressors. He escaped but was shortly thereafter injured in an auto accident, remaining in a coma for several months in the Philippines. He came to Canada in 1987 as a refugee and studied English as a second language, eventually being accepted at the Seminary of Christ the King in Mission.[5][6]

Ordination

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Nguyen was ordained as a priest in Holy Rosary Cathedral on May 30, 1992.[6]

Current affairs

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On June 1, 2016, Pope Francis appointed Nguyen as the Bishop for the Diocese of Kamloops.

References

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  1. ^ "Bishop Nguyen Coat of Arms". Roman Catholic Diocese of Kamloops. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  2. ^ "Testimonies: Fr. Joseph Phuong Nguyen". RCAV.org. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver. Archived from the original on July 16, 2017. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  3. ^ Krawczynski, Agnieszka (September 14, 2016). "Joyful, reverent priest takes bishop's seat". Prairie Messenger. Archived from the original on January 10, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
  4. ^ Cheney, David M. "Father Joseph Phuong Nguyen [Catholic-Hierarchy]". catholic-hierarchy.org. Retrieved 4 July 2016.
  5. ^ a b c "Pope Francis names new bishop for Kamloops". rcav.org. Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Vancouver. Archived from the original on July 7, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  6. ^ a b Krawczynski, Agnieszka (June 1, 2016). "Father Joseph Nguyen to become Bishop of Kamloops". The B.C. Catholic. Archived from the original on July 1, 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
Catholic Church titles
Preceded by Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Vancouver
2013–2016
Succeeded by
Preceded by Bishop of Kamloops
2016–present
Incumbent