A lay Catholic in Hue yesterday received the ceremonial title of Knight of the Grand Cross from Pope Benedict XVI during a ceremony at Phu Cam Cathedral.

Joachim Do Trinh Hue earned the honor, one of five orders of knighthood instituted under Pope Gregory XVI in 1831, in recognition of contributions to the Catholic Church in Vietnam.

Archbishop Etienne Nguyen Nhu The of Hue presided over the ceremony, which was attended by about 5,000 priests, Religious, seminarians and lay people.

Hue, 69, teaches French at state-run colleges, a major seminary and among congregations in the city, and works for foreign and domestic educational organizations that provide scholarships for thousands of poor students.

Hue is the third lay person in the archdiocese to receive the papal honor.