Centenarian founding bishop dies

Retired Bishop Michael Nguyen Khac Ngu, well known for his work in building up the Church in Vietnam, has died at the age of 100.

Bishop Michael Nguyen Khac Ngu

Bishop Ngu died of old age at 11 a.m. on June 10 at his residence at the Queen of Peace Cathedral in Long Xuyen in the Mekong Delta, said Father Michael Le Xuan Tan, secretary of the bishop´s residence.

In his condolence message to Catholics, Bishop Joseph Tran Xuan Tieu of Long Xuyen urged them to hang banners with the words “In Memory of our Dearly Beloved Bishop” in their churches as a way to express their sorrow.

Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Da Lat, head of the Vietnam Bishops´ Conference, in a condolence letter to Bishop Tieu, said the late prelate´s death “is a big loss to the Long Xuyen diocese and the Catholic Church in Vietnam.”

Bishop Nhon praised Bishop Ngu, the first Bishop of Long Xuyen, for his contribution toward building up the local Church hierarchy established in 1960, his leadership of local Church organizations and his pastoral work.

The late bishop, in leading a good life, was an example to many priests, Religious and lay Catholics, when he was old, he served the local Church with his prayers, Bishop Nhon said.

During Bishop Ngu´s 100th birthday celebration on May 14, Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of Hanoi had highlighted Bishop Ngu´s contributions to the local Church.

In addition to building the Long Xuyen cathedral, he was also instrumental in building two minor seminaries, a major seminary and educational centers in many parishes, the archbishop said.

The three seminaries Bishop Ngu founded trained hundreds of seminarians before being “borrowed” by the government after 1975, when the whole country came under communist rule. The educational centers were also confiscated.

Bishop Ngu spent his ministry as a builder in more ways than one — helping to create many of the church buildings in his diocese as well as evangelizing in remote areas.

Bishop Tieu said that thanks to the basic foundations laid by Bishop Ngu, the diocese´s 20,000 Catholics in 1960 have increased to 240,000 today. The original diocese of 12 parishes has also expanded to 108 parishes and 45 subparishes, served by 240 priests.

Bishop Ngu was born on Feb. 2, 1909, in the northern diocese of Thai Binh and entered St. Therese Minor Seminary in Lang Son diocese in 1922. He later traveled to France to further his studies and was ordained a priest there on June 29, 1934.

He was to live through some turbulent times in the country´s history.

After returning to Vietnam, he taught at a minor seminary, catered to the needs of two parishes and served as secretary to the apostolic delegation, then based in Hue, central Vietnam.

Local priests and lay Catholics pay their last respects to Bishop Ngu as he lies in state in Long Xuyen Cathedral on June 10

In 1954, communists in the north defeated Vietnam´s French colonial masters and began limiting Church activities. Foreign missioners were expelled and many local priests killed. Bishop Ngu gathered together as many Catholics as he could and led them to the south.

On Dec. 8, 1960, Bishop Ngu was named the first prelate of Long Xuyen diocese which was established on Nov. 24 that year. His episcopal motto was Christus in Vobis (Christ in you).

His episcopal ordination took place on Jan. 22, 1961, in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City) and he officially became head of his diocese on April 4 that year.

Archbishop Kiet, himself a student of Bishop Ngu, also praised the late bishop for the graceful way in which he relinquished his position.

After he ordained his coadjutor Bishop Jean Baptiste Bui Tuan on April 30, 1975, Bishop Ngu then handed control of the diocese to him, although Bishop Ngu retired only in 1997.

The late bishop also attended the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965).

Bishop Ngu is currently lying in state in the cathedral where local people can visit and pay their last respects. Special Masses concelebrated by local clergy are also being held to pray for him.

Father Tan said Bishop Ngu´s Funeral Mass is scheduled for June 15 at 9.30 a.m. His burial will take place afterward in the compound of the cathedral.