Pope names new bishop of Thái Bình diocese in Viêt Nam

Pope Francis appointed Father Dominic Dang Van Cau as the new bishop of the diocese of Thái Bình in Vietnam.
 
The 60-year-old bishop-elect was the rector of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary of Thái Bình.
 
He succeeds Bishop Pierre Nguyên Văn Dê, S.D.B., who retired after serving the diocese for over 26 years.
 
Msgr. Dominic was born on July 17, 1962, in the province and diocese of Thái Bình. From 1990 to 1996, he attended Saint Joseph's Major Seminary in Hà Nôi.
 
He was ordained a priest on March 9, 1996, for the diocese of Thái Bình.
 
He has held the following positions: secretary to the bishop of Thái Bình (1996-2000); master's degree with a specialization in Catechetical Pastoral Care from the Institut Catholique de Paris (2000-2005).
 
He was secretary to the bishop of Thái Bình (2005-2009); parish priest of Vang Lang (2009-2013); professor of catechesis and fundamental theology at Saint Joseph's Major Seminary in Hà Nôi (2009-2013); head of the Commission for Catechesis of the diocese of Thái Bình (2009-2016); dean of the Hung Yen Deanery and bishop's representative in Hung Yen (2014-2016).
 
Since 2019, he has been rector of the Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Thái Bình.
 
Thái Binh is a coastal province in the Red River Delta region of northern Vietnam.
 
The diocese of Thái Binh was established on November 24, 1960, and is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Hà Ni. It has a total land area of 2,465.09 square kilometers and is divided into two provinces: Hung Yen and Thai Binh.
 
According to Vatican sources (2020), it has 136,656 Catholics spread across 121 parishes. The majority of Catholics in the diocese are farmers.
 
The diocese's primary missionary focus has been youth faith education. It offers scholarships to students in specific fields. In addition to evangelization, the diocese works with families and migrants. It encourages a call to the priesthood and religious life.