A delegation from the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs paid tribute on March 26 to Cardinal Gioan Baotixita Pham Minh Man, former Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City.
The delegation was led by Deputy Minister Y Vinh Tor, who laid a wreath and conveyed condolences from Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh, along with an official message of sympathy from the ministry to the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City and the Cardinal’s family.
Joining the delegation were Vu Hoai Bac, Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Nguyen Tien Trong, Deputy Head of the same body, and leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.
At the memorial service, Deputy Minister Y Vinh Tor shared with Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, that the passing of Cardinal Gioan Baotixita Pham Minh Man represents a profound loss for the Archdiocese, the Catholic Church in Vietnam and the nation as a whole.
On behalf of the ministry, he extended heartfelt condolences to the Archbishop, bishops, priests, religious and parishioners of the Archdiocese, as well as to the Cardinal’s family.
In the condolence book, the Deputy Minister wrote: “The Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs respectfully commemorates Cardinal Gioan Baotixita Pham Minh Man, former Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. He was a distinguished example of a Catholic shepherd, guiding clergy and the faithful to fulfill their roles as good believers and responsible citizens, accompanying the nation and making significant contributions to the development of the Church. The leadership of the ministry deeply appreciates his contributions to the cause of national construction and development.”
The delegation also extended sympathy and support to the Cardinal’s relatives.
Throughout the morning of March 26, long lines of mourners, including citizens and representatives of various organizations, came to pay their respects.
According to the schedule, the funeral Mass for the Cardinal will take place at 8:30 am on March 27 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City.
Cardinal Gioan Baotixita Pham Minh Man, former Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, was born on March 5, 1934 in Ca Mau province. From 1944 to 1946, he studied at Cu Lao Gieng Minor Seminary; from 1946 to 1954, he continued his studies at the Phnom Penh Minor Seminary in Cambodia; and from 1954 to 1956, he attended Saint Joseph Major Seminary in Ho Chi Minh City.
He was ordained a priest in 1965 and later taught at Thanh Quy Minor Seminary in Can Tho. Between 1968 and 1971, he pursued studies at Loyola University in the US.
On March 22, 1993, he was appointed by the Vatican as Coadjutor Bishop of My Tho Diocese. In March 1998, he became Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. On October 21, 2003, he was elevated to the rank of Cardinal in Rome.
Cardinal Gioan Baotixita Pham Minh Man passed away at 17:22 on March 22, 2026 at the Pastoral Center of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, at the age of 92.
Vietnamnet.vn
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