Roman Catholic Diocese of Hải Phòng

The diocese of Hải Phòng (Latin: Dioecesis Haiphongensis) is a Roman Catholic diocese in northern Vietnam. The bishop is Joseph Vu Van Thien, since 2002.

The creation of the diocese in its present form was declared November 24, 1960. The earliest forms of Roman Catholic institutions appeared in that territory since 1655, with French and Spanish missionaries until the middle of the 20th century.^[1]

The diocese covers an area of 10,000 km², and is a suffragan diocese of the Archdiocese of Hanoi.

By 2004, the diocese of Hai Phòng had about 113,092 believers (2.4% of the population), 29 priests and 62 parishes.^[2]

Queen of the Rosary Cathedral in Hai Phong has been assigned as the Cathedral of the diocese.^[3]

Many migrant workers from other regions of Vietnam, who work in that busy port city, attend masses in Hai Phong.^[1]

In 2008, the Bishop of Hai Phong Diocese Joseph Vu Van Thien took part in World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia, where he presented a speech at the Homily at the Opening Mass for Vietnamese Youth.^[4]

References

1. 1 2 Asia News Article on Hai Phong, November 2007
2. ↑ Catholic Hierarchy Directory
3. ↑ GCatholic.org
4. ↑ The Homily at the Opening Mass for Vietnmese Youth - World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney, Australia, by Bishop Joseph Vu Van Thien, Bishop of Hai Phong Diocese, VietCatholic Site, July 2008

Coordinates: 20°51′40″N 106°40′51″E / 20.8610°N 106.6807°E / 20.8610; 106.6807