San Diego's New Catholic Leader: America's First Vietnamese-American Bishop Takes Helm

Michael Pham understands the sensation of struggling to breathe amidst a haze of tear gas.

Born in Vietnam in 1967, during a time when the conflict had escalated dramatically, Pham experienced multiple attempts at escaping with his family. When he was roughly eight years old, one escape plan fell through due to the aircraft being over capacity. In another effort, they boarded a vessel but found themselves without adequate provisions like food or water.

There were individuals, including babies, sprawled on the floor of the barge, and I assumed they were asleep," he recounted in an interview back in February. "It dawned on me later: Those were actually lifeless bodies.

When Pham was a teenager, he and his family managed to escape from Vietnam. They initially moved to a farm in Minnesota where he had an encounter with a cow that knocked him in the chest. Later, they relocated to San Diego, which he described as “heaven on earth.” This extraordinary journey took another unforeseen turn this week when one of the world’s leading figures offered the former refugee a groundbreaking promotion.

The Vatican on Thursday announced that Pham, 58, is to be the next bishop of San Diego’s Roman Catholic diocese and head of the region’s 1.3 million Catholics. While some lower-ranking leaders in other parts of the country also have roots in Vietnam, including auxiliary bishops in Atlanta, Georgia, and Orange, California, Pham is the nation’s first Vietnamese American to oversee an entire diocese, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

This is wonderful news that allows me to remain at home," Pham stated during a press conference held at the diocesan offices on Thursday. Having resided in the region for many years, he graduated from three educational institutions in San Diego: San Diego High School, San Diego State University, and the University of San Diego. "I am deeply thankful to God.

Pham will officially become the bishop on July 17. This appointment will grant him authority, including the power to select priests, which he did not possess during his time as the diocese’s administrator.

The news marks a turbulent period over the last several months for Catholic followers in San Diego County.

In January, the Vatican declared that Robert McElroy, who had been serving as the long-time head of the diocese, would be relocating to Washington, D.C. San Diego’s first-ever cardinal And attracted nationwide notice due to his more forward-thinking positions on various contentious topics, such as endorsing the ordination of women.

McElroy departed in March. Pope Francis died The following month, in May, the world witnessed its first ever North American pope with Cardinal Robert Prevost being appointed. became Leo XIV The ultimate decision regarding who becomes a bishop lies with the popes.

Tawn Nguyen, a member of the All Hallows Catholic Church in La Jolla, mentioned that Vietnamese Americans were "elated" about Pham’s new position.

“She stated, ‘His journey mirrors ours,’ emphasizing that he embodies the resilience and faith of the Vietnamese Catholic community.”

'This has got to be correct.'

Despite reaching San Diego, Pham’s journey remained far from straightforward.

Initially, he believed his path was in mathematics and pursued studies in aeronautical engineering. However, everything shifted after he enrolled in a philosophy course during college. He remarked earlier this year that the class "completely redirected my thoughts towards: what is the purpose of life?"

Subsequently, during a meal with his father, Pham brought up considering the possibility of joining the clergy. "His silence conveyed everything," Pham remembered, indicating that his dad was not supportive. Despite delaying his choice, Pham couldn't ignore how content he felt when serving at his church. He reflected, concluding that this path had to be correct for him.

He remains uncertain about why his dad initially opposed the idea. They had a strong bond, and Pham speculates whether his father viewed dedicating himself to the church as distancing himself from the family. "I believe he thought it would mean losing something," Pham explained, "because in his view, joining the priesthood means you’re no longer connected to your previous life." He added, "In essence, you become devoted solely to God."

Pham’s father ultimately backed his son's aspirations—though they nearly hit another snag due to a paperwork mistake. When Pham applied to seminary, he received no response; there was neither an acceptance nor a rejection letter, just silence.

Pham called to ask what was going on. The person on the other end said his application didn’t exist. It turned out that someone else with the same name had also applied that year and their documents had been combined.

Pham graduated from St. Patrick’s Seminary in Menlo Park and was ordained in San Diego’s diocese in 1999.

Over the years, he served as a pastor and helped start the diocese’s annual Pentecost Mass for All Peoples, a massive event in multiple languages. It was right after one of those services when Pham was informed that he would become an auxiliary bishop. A diocese spokesperson later said, half joking, that Pham had left the meeting “smiling less.”

Pham on Thursday acknowledged that the previous promotion had made him anxious. He loved pastoring and was hesitant, at least initially, about taking a more administrative role.

The position demanded extra education, prompting Pham to journey to Rome at the end of last year for further studies alongside fellow auxiliary bishops. During this time, as Pham and Felipe Pulido, another prominent figure from San Diego, were about to have their photograph taken inside St. Peter’s Basilica, someone unexpectedly asked, "May I join you for a picture?"

Cardinal Robert Prevost, who later became Pope Leo XIV, was the one speaking. The photograph shows Pham with the widest grin. "He possesses an incredible warmth," remarked Pham on Thursday regarding the newly appointed pope. According to him, he is "quiet and restrained—but highly aware and attentive to the people's requirements."

As the bishop of San Diego, Pham committed to continuing the church’s extensive effort toward "synodality." This initiative seeks to amplify the voices of congregation members, with particular focus on those from underrepresented communities.

He also committed to resolving lawsuits filed by individuals claiming abuse by priests in San Diego. (The diocese consented to a settlement.) $198 million settlement in 2007 before declaring bankruptcy Once again, following additional claims being submitted last year, Pham stated, "It’s heartbreaking just listening to people share their experiences." "I hope we reach resolution soon," she added.

The newly elected bishop will face persistent conflicts within the church. Certain members of the Catholic faith seek greater inclusivity for the LGBTQ+ community, while others advocate for a revival of the traditional Latin Mass. When questioned by a journalist, Pham was asked whether he had concerns about potentially becoming a target for these various groups.

“I hope that people can remember me, or see me, as a person who stayed focused on Christ,” Pham responded.

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