Catholic Outlook June 2016

NEWS & EVENTS
It’s a long
way to the
top if you
want a
priest for all
Story and Photo by Elizabeth McFarlane
ON 5 MAY this year, Pope Francis
announced Bishop Vincent Long Van
Nguyen, 54, as the fourth Bishop of
Parramatta.
Having ministered as a Conventual Franciscan
priest in Australia since 1989 and as Auxiliary
Bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne since
2011, Bishop Vincent said he was humbled and
excited about the prospect of serving the people
of Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains.
After his ordination to the priesthood on
30 December 1989, Bishop Vincent went to
Rome for further studies and was awarded a
licentiate in Christology and Spirituality from
the Pontifical Faculty of St Bonaventure.
“I spent about seven years in the Diocese of
Parramatta as an assistant priest and then as
Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish.
I left Kellyville in 2002, which is now in the
burgeoning part of the Diocese,” Bishop Vincent
said.
“Even though it has been 15 years, I have fond
memories of my first parish in Kellyville and I
hope with that knowledge and that familiarity,
I can start to work to minister as Bishop in the
Diocese.”
The Provincial Delegate of the Franciscan
Friars at Kellyville, Br Joseph Wood OFM
Conv, said they were “very happy” about the
appointment of their brother, Bishop Vincent.
“Bishop Vincent’s Franciscan brothers wish
him and the Diocese of Parramatta every
happiness and fraternal support in this new
beginning together,” Br Joseph said.
“Naturally, we are also very grateful to the
Diocesan Administrator, Fr Peter Williams,
for holding everything together after the
appointment of our previous Bishop, Anthony
Fisher OP, as Archbishop of Sydney.”
The appointment of a Vietnamese migrant and
refugee as Bishop of Parramatta was welcomed
by Fr Henry Huu Duc Tran, priest in charge of
the Vietnamese Chaplaincy of the Diocese of
Parramatta, and Parish Priest of Our Lady of
Lourdes Parish at Seven Hills.
“I consider myself as privileged to know
Bishop Vincent from way back in his student
days to his more senior positions both in the
Diocese and elsewhere,” Fr Henry said.
"I am very grateful
to God for leading
me to the Diocese
of Parramatta."
“From a cultural perspective, I am proud of
him, and the Vietnamese Catholic communities
both here and beyond are proud of him too for
such an Apostolic role being entrusted to him.
“But at the same time, we know fully well
that he, as a bishop, must belong to every
group, every community, every culture and
background in the Diocese.
“We have to make sure that Bishop Vincent
enjoys the total support from the whole
Vietnamese Catholic community to fulfil a
bigger role as Bishop of all people across this
beloved Diocese.”
PILGRIMAGE TO SPAIN
Many from the Archdiocese of Melbourne
have also voiced their best wishes for the new
Bishop.
Collin Nunis and his wife, Agnieszka Kosidio-
Nunis, first met Bishop Vincent (and each other)
at a youth event in Melbourne in early 2012.
“From the first time we encountered Bishop
Vincent, we found him to be approachable,
accommodating, and helpful,” they said.
“However, behind his Franciscan simplicity was
a giant of a man, and behind his being a bishop
was a father looking out for his children.
“His demeanour and especially his
determination to look out for ‘the least of my
brethren’ (asylum seekers and refugees) will be
sorely missed. Melbourne’s loss is Parramatta’s
gain.”
Bishop Vincent’s motto is: “Duc in Altum” or
“Go further into the deep”.
“I have been cast into the deep interior of
Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains and
it’s a new challenge for me, but I know that the
challenge will train me to hopefully be a better
pastor for you,” he said.
“God has his own ways of intervening in
our lives, and certainly this appointment is
something that I did not expect but I am very
grateful to God for leading me to the Diocese
of Parramatta.
“Do pray for me as I endeavour to carry out
the mission that has been entrusted to me and I
hope to do so in collaboration with you and the
clergy of Parramatta.”
To watch a video message from Bishop
Vincent go to: https://www.youtube.com/
ParramattaDiocese
Now
enrolling
for 2018
Prayer for our
Bishop Vincent
and our Diocese
Gracious Holy Spirit,
may the fire of your
love and wisdom guide
Vincent, your servant,
called to be the fourth
bishop of our Diocese of
Parramatta.
Prepare us to welcome and
embrace Bishop Vincent
as a brother and shepherd.
Grant that his witness
may encourage for each
of us, and as a Diocese,
our discerning of your
presence, your mission and
your call.
Bless our Bishop to be a
shepherd after the heart
of Christ and bless our
Diocese as an embrace of
your mercy and joy for the
world.
Amen
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12 CatholicOutlook | JUNE 2016
www.catholicoutlook.org