According to an announcement from the Archdiocese, parish churches across the region tolled mourning bells for 10 minutes at 8 pm the same evening, bidding farewell to the Cardinal as he returned to God.

Born in 1934 in Ca Mau, Cardinal Pham Minh Man was ordained a priest in 1965. He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the My Tho Diocese in 1993.

During his time leading the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese, he placed strong emphasis on pastoral life closely linked with social responsibility, encouraging the faithful to actively engage in community activities.

He played a significant role in promoting dialogue, strengthening unity within the Catholic community, and consolidating Church life during the country’s reform period. He was widely respected for his simple and humble lifestyle.

Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man was born on March 5, 1934, in Hoa Thanh, Ca Mau.

From 1944 to 1946, he studied at Cu Lao Gieng Minor Seminary, before continuing his formation at Phnom Penh Minor Seminary in Cambodia from 1946 to 1954.

Between 1954 and 1956, he pursued philosophical studies at Saint Joseph Major Seminary in Saigon. After a period of teaching in Bac Lieu, he returned in 1961 to undertake four years of theological studies.

On May 25, 1965, he was ordained a priest by Bishop Giacobe Nguyen Ngoc Quang of the Can Tho Diocese at Can Tho Cathedral, after which he taught at A Thanh Quy Minor Seminary.

From 1968 to 1971, he studied administration and education at Loyola University in the US. Upon returning to Vietnam, he continued teaching and was appointed Rector of A Thanh Quy Minor Seminary in 1974. In 1988, he became the founding Rector of Thanh Quy Major Seminary.

On March 22, 1993, he was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of the My Tho Diocese by Pope John Paul II and was consecrated bishop on August 11 the same year.

In March 1998, he was appointed Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and officially assumed the role on April 2.

On October 21, 2003, he was elevated to Cardinal in Rome. He also served in the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, as well as the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.

Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man retired on March 22, 2014.

Nguyen Hue