Viet Cardinal Doesn’t Hope for a Pontiff from Southeast Asia

Jean-Baptiste Cardinal Pham Minh Mân

Function: Archbishop of Thành-Phô Hô Chí Minh, Viêt Nam

Title: Cardinal Priest of St Justin

Birthdate: Jan 01, 1934	Country: Vietnam

Elevated: Oct 21, 2003	More information: www.catholic-hierarchy.org

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Viet Cardinal Doesn’t Hope for a Pontiff from Southeast Asia
Sept 16, 2004
A new Roman Catholic cardinal whose flock has survived sometimes severe repression said yesterday that faith can help pull beleaguered Boston Catholics beyond the troubles of the past two years.

(Source unknown, 5 November 2003) “In Vietnam, we met with many difficulties and recovered the faith to remain strong and united to each other and the church and Christ,” Jean-Baptiste Cardinal Pham Minh Man said at Boston College.

Man would like to see the government in Vietnam ease restrictions that have prevented religious organizations from building hospitals or schools, he said. “We hope in the future we can some day do it with the help of God and other people.”

Vietnamese officials were slow to recognize Pope John Paul II's selection of Man as a cardinal in September. Man said they dropped their opposition after a brief meeting. “I told them my robe changed color, that's all.”

Man, who as a cardinal will now be a candidate for pope, seemed stunned yesterday when asked whether he thinks there will some day be a pontiff from Southeast Asia.

“I don't know,” he said. “But we don't hope for it.”

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