A new bishop for Kamloops

The Holy Father, Pope Francis has accepted the resignation from the pastoral governance of the Diocese of Kamloops (BC, Canada) presented by His Excellency, David J. Monroe, in conformity with the provisions of the Code of Canon Law (Canon 401, § 1).

The Pope has appointed Father Joseph P. Nguyen, from the clergy of the Archdiocese of Vancouver who has, until now, been serving as the Vicar General of that Archdiocese, as the new Bishop of Kamloops.

Father Joseph P. Nguyen was born in Vietnam on 25 March 1957.  In 1974, he entered the Le Bao Tinh Minor Seminary in Banmethout (Vietnam).  He was imprisoned on two separate occasions because of his Catholic faith.  He managed to seek refuge along with other boat people  in Palawan (Philippines) for one year.  In 1987, he arrived in Vancouver and worked as a house painter in order to pay for English-language lessons.  He later entered the Christ the King Seminary in Mission, BC, where he studied Philosophy before pursuing Theological studies at Saint Peter's Seminary in London, Ontario.

He was ordained a priest on 30 May 1992 for the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

After his priestly ordination, he was given the following responsibilities: Associate Pastor of Saint Jude's parish in Vancouver (1992-1993), Immaculate Conception parish in Delta (1993-1995) and Corpus Christi parish in Vancouver (1995-1997); Pastor of Our Lady of Mercy parish in Burnaby (1997-2001) and Saint Andrew's parish in Vancouver (2001-2010); Director of Priestly Vocations (2010-2013); Vicar General (from 2013 to present).

He has also served as a member of the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors, the Archdiocesan Finance Committee, and the Advisory Committee for the Permanent Diaconate; as well as Chaplain of the Serra Club, the Knights of Columbus, the Pro-Life Vigil and the Religious Sisters' Association.

He speaks Vietnamese and English.