By Fr. Thomas Vu Kim Long, SDB
Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, June 20 - Fr Giuse Maria Bui Vu Phong, 35 years; Fr Giuse Trinh Kinh Luan, 33 years ago, both Vietnamese missionaries in Ethiopia-Eritrea Vice-province since last 2008 were ordained in the Salesian Shrine of Mary Help of Christians in Mekanissa, Addis Ababa.
The ordaining bishop was Angelo Moreschi, SDB, Apostolic Vicar of Gambella. The ordination Mass was attended by many Ethiopian Salesians, Salesian family members and many youth. Also the parents and some family members of Frs. Phong and Luan were present. On behalf of the VIE province, former provincial Fr. John Baptist Them and former missionary in Vietnam Br. Cesare Bullo (AET) did congratulate in a special way.
The Viceprovince of AET (Ethiopia-Eritrea) has 124 Salesians and 8 novices, including also 5 missionaries from the EAO.
Paris and Nice, France, June 27 - Fr. Peter Hoang Minh Chien, 37 years old was ordained in Paris, France in the Cathedral Notre Dame by Card. André Vingt-Trois archbishop of Paris.
Fr. Vincent Liem Tran Ngoc Minh Tuan, 34 years old was ordained in Nice (NB Nice is the first non-Italian Salesian presence started by Don Bosco in 1875) by Mons André Marceau, bishop of Nice.
These two missionaries are part of the first FRB missionary expedition of 2007 (four sent from VIE province - three candidates to priesthood and one Salesian Brother) and started their theology in Lyon in September 2010. During this summer were ordained also two other priests for the FRB province (France - Belgium South) - one Indian from Tamil Nadu and one Polish Salesian. At present the FRB province has 200 confreres (161 priests, 31 Salesian brothers, 8 confreres in initial formation and 2 novices: cfr. Annuario 2015).
All four newly ordained missionary priest after their thanksgiving Mass in their mission land will spend a brief period in Vietnam, for the thanksgiving and missionary animation in the formation houses of the Novitiate, Postnovitiate and Theologate (July-August).
At present there are more than 100 Salesian missionaries from Vietnam witnessing to the Gospel of Jesus with the heart of Don Bosco in 35 different Salesian provinces in all five continents. Also in the incoming 146th Salesian missionary expedition there are 5 more new missionaries to be sent from Valdocco, next September 27.
