austraLasia
1382
A tale of six
Bishops
From our Japan
correspondent
TOKYO: 7th January 2006 -- Almost everyone in
the Region knows that on January 18, Fr. Peter Nguyen Van De will be
consecrated Auxiliary Bishop of Bui Chu, in Viet Nam's north, but perhaps only a
few know that he is the sixth bishop coming out of a bunch of 40 confreres who
were living together in 21 Don Bosco Road, Cheung Chau, Hong Kong, some 40 years
ago.
The first to become a bishop was the late Michael
Praphon (Thailand) at that time teaching Latin, followed by Leo Drona
(Philippines) then in his practical training teaching logic and mathematics. The
third was Joseph Zen (HK) then teacher of philosophy. The other three, Hoang Van
Tiem (Viet Nam), Joseph Prathan (Thailand) and Bishop to be, Peter Nguyen
Van De, were then students of philosophy.
6 out of
40 is some percentage! Fortunately not all the formation houses can boast such a
record, otherwise the Congregation would be in real trouble, though perhaps to
the good advantage of a more youth oriented Church!
On the occasion of
the China Province centenary, next month, all the Cheung Chau past pupils are
invited to the celebration. One hopes not only the bishops will gather together
and thank God for the generosity of the China province, our mother province in
the Region.
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