Summary
At the beginning of 2023, the Vietnamese Catholic Church ordained 76 transitional deacons who are expected to be ordained as priests soon. This ordination underscores the vitality of priestly and religious vocations in Vietnam, where there are currently about 6,000 priests and nearly 31,000 religious men and women serving an estimated seven million Catholics. Observers note that while these numbers represent a significant challenge for pastoral care, they also highlight the Church’s commitment to both diocesan and religious vocations. A key figure in this ongoing missionary effort is Petrus Do, who emphasizes the need for urgent reform in priestly formation. He stresses that philosophical and theological studies must be complemented by sustained missionary formation aimed at serving on the peripheries of society. This vision aligns with Pope Francis’ call to priests to have a “missionary heart.” To achieve this goal, future priests are encouraged to learn local languages, engage in social action, and share in the struggles of their communities. In response to these challenges, the Vietnamese bishops designated 2026 as the Year of “Every Christian as a Missionary Disciple,” forming part of a three-year pastoral plan centered on missionary renewal. The initiative seeks to place missionary spirit at the heart of priestly and ecclesial life, encouraging both clergy and laity to take active roles in this mission. This includes placing emphasis on the role of Vietnamese Catholic communities, with the bishops aiming for each community to become a missionary community by 2027.
Key Topics
Vietnamese Church, Deacons, Formation
