The Catholic Church in Vietnam is experiencing a vibrant resurgence in priestly vocations, with forty new priests ordained across three dioceses in June 2025.
Newsroom, June 30, 2025, Gaudium Press – The Catholic Church in Vietnam is experiencing a vibrant resurgence in priestly vocations, with forty new priests ordained across three dioceses in June 2025, during the month dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and traditionally reserved for ordinations. This milestone, marked by ceremonies in Da Nang, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh City, underscores the Church’s enduring vitality in the Southeast Asian nation.
In the Diocese of Da Nang, six new priests were ordained on June 24 in a solemn Mass at Da Nang Cathedral, attended by a large congregation of faithful. Monsignor Joseph Dang Duc Ngan, Archbishop of Hue and Apostolic Administrator of Da Nang, presided over the liturgy. In his homily, he described the new priests as “consecrated to be each an Alter Christus,” called to serve as shepherds who live not for themselves but for the people of God. Reflecting on the life of Saint John the Baptist, he emphasized that priesthood is “a journey of daily growth in Christ,” requiring constant strengthening in the Holy Spirit to fulfill the mission of God and the Church with joy and love.
The following day, June 25, the Diocese of Can Tho, located in the Mekong Delta, celebrated the ordination of thirteen priests in Soc Trang Cathedral. Bishop Peter Le Tan Loi, presiding over the ceremony, urged the faithful to pray for and support the new priests, encouraging them to embody humility, holiness, and dedication in their pastoral ministry. “Unite in prayer to accompany these priests, so they may remain faithful to their identity as humble and holy shepherds,” he said.
On June 27, coinciding with the Day of the Sanctification of the Priesthood, the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City ordained twenty-one new priests in a joyous ceremony. Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, in his homily, highlighted the unique role of the priest in a rapidly modernizing world. “The priest is not a robot of the modern age,” he declared. “In every liturgical, pastoral, and charitable action, the priest takes God’s will seriously, transmitting the Good News with authenticity.” The ordinations reflect the archdiocese’s significant contribution to the Church’s growth, reinforcing its role as a spiritual hub in southern Vietnam.
Elsewhere, the Diocese of Ba Ria marked the month with the diaconal ordination of six seminarians during a Mass dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the Shrine of Our Lady of Bai Dau. Bishop Emmanuel Nguyen Hong Son presided, affirming the candidates’ readiness to take the next step toward priesthood.
These ordinations highlight the Vietnamese Church’s robust pipeline of vocations, a testament to its deep-rooted faith and commitment to forming priests who serve with humility and zeal. As Vietnam’s Catholic community continues to grow, these new priests and deacons are poised to carry forward the Church’s mission of spreading the Gospel in a dynamic and challenging world.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Agenzia Fides
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