At the end of June, the Church will celebrate three significant jubilees: the Jubilee of Seminarians (23–24 June), the Jubilee of Bishops (25 June) and the Jubilee of Priests (25–27 June). In the lead-up, one of Melbourne’s newest bishops, Auxiliary Bishop Thinh Nguyen, speaks with us about the journey of vocation—his own, and that of the many clergy he now accompanies. His story is one of quiet resilience, deep prayer and enduring hope, shaped by migration, ministry and a love for the Church that only grows stronger with time.
Born in Saigon, Vietnam, in 1973, Bishop Thinh Nguyen is the third youngest of 13 siblings. He came to Australia at the age of 13, settling in Melbourne and continuing his studies at Redden Catholic College in Preston. Before his call to the priesthood, he trained in building engineering and lighting design, working in an engineering firm. But a deeper vocation was stirring, and in 1999 he entered Corpus Christi College, the regional seminary for Victoria and Tasmania. He was ordained a priest in 2006 at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Melbourne.
Eighteen years later, in February 2025, he stood once again in that same cathedral—this time to be ordained as an Auxiliary Bishop for Melbourne.
‘Priesthood is a journey,’ he says, ‘and it’s a journey that’s full of challenges, full of joy and very rewarding.’
Bishop Thinh’s story is rooted in faith and community. He recalls his formation as a seminarian as pivotal. ‘My time in the seminary was a very fruitful time for me,’ he says. ‘It helped develop who I am as a priest, as a bishop.’ He speaks warmly of the importance of shared prayer and community life among seminarians, and the emphasis on forming the whole person across four key dimensions: pastoral, human, intellectual and spiritual.
Priesthood is a journey, and it’s a journey that’s full of challenges, full of joy and very rewarding.
Of these, prayer life has been foundational for Bishop Thinh. ‘We are trained to be the spiritual father, and the prayer life really shaped me,’ he explains. ‘It helped centre me through my difficult times and challenges, but prayer also helped me to connect with God.’
Now holding two Master’s degrees (in theological studies and spirituality), Bishop Thinh has served in a wide range of roles, from parish ministry in Deer Park, Fitzroy and Bennettswood to chaplaincies with the Archdiocesan Office for Youth and the University of Melbourne. He’s been a formator at Corpus Christi College and Assistant Vocations Director—roles that deepened his passion for nurturing the next generation of priests.
Since 2022, he has led the Archdiocese’s Office for Clergy Life and Ministry, overseeing the ongoing formation and wellbeing of more than 200 active priests and deacons, and more than 100 retired clergy.
Once you leave the seminary, formation doesn’t stop. It continues.
Bishop Thinh’s episcopal motto—Take courage. He’s calling you—reflects both his deep trust in God and the boldness required to say yes to a new calling. ‘I was surprised to be made a bishop,’ he admits. ‘It’s a new journey for me, but I embrace it with hope, in a year of Jubilee, a year of hope … through that hope, we entrust ourselves to God.’
As a bishop and former seminary formator, Bishop Thinh has a keen sense of the importance of ongoing formation. ‘Formation is a lifelong process,’ he notes. ‘Once you leave the seminary, formation doesn’t stop. It continues.’
For him, the support of community—parishioners, family and friends—has been essential. ‘They are the ones who really support my vocation and my journey as a bishop, as a priest.’
Through his work in the Office for Clergy Life and Ministry, Bishop Thinh is committed to supporting priests across every stage of their vocation—from the earliest days of their priesthood through to retirement. ‘Our work is to look after the wellbeing of our clergy,’ he explains, ‘their psychological, spiritual and intellectual life.’ That includes ongoing formation workshops, opportunities for supervision, and clergy conferences to help priests renew and grow in their ministry.
‘Our task is to help our priests to find meaning in the ministry, and … to find joy and hope in their ministry,’ he says, noting how precious the gift of the priesthood is to the Church—perhaps especially in an era when vocations are not as numerous as they were in the past.
Through your prayer and support, we find meaning in our ministry, we find hope in our ministry.
He describes the three pillars of the Office for Clergy Life and Ministry’s work as active ministry, ongoing formation and retirement. ‘This accompaniment is very essential,’ he says. ‘From the beginning of their priesthood until they’re retired … we try to make them feel that they belong to this community … make them feel they’ve been listened to.’
That sense of belonging and encouragement is something Bishop Thinh hopes all Catholics will embrace. ‘Without your prayer and support, we find our ministry quite challenging,’ he says. ‘But through your prayer and support, we find meaning in our ministry, we find hope in our ministry.’
He adds, ‘Please pray for our seminarians who study at Corpus Christi College. Pray for vocations. We need more vocations. We need more priests in the vineyard. Because without priests, without them, we have no Eucharist.’
For Bishop Thinh, the mission of the Church today remains both urgent and hopeful. He recognises the challenges of evangelisation in a rapidly changing world. He speaks with particular concern about the younger generation—his own nieces and nephews among them—who often feel disconnected from the Church. ‘Looking at the Australian context … we need to reach out to them. How can we bring Jesus to them in their own context? That’s the most challenging part of ministry.’
Mission is to be available, to share our faith, but to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us … through the Mass, the liturgy, the sacraments and our interaction with each other.
He believes the Church must respond with a message that meets people in their real lives. ‘Mission is to be available, to share our faith, but to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us … through the Mass, the liturgy, the sacraments and our interaction with each other.’ In a world burdened by conflict and uncertainty, he says, ‘we need the message of hope, and the mission of the Church is to bring that hope to them.’
As the Church prepares to celebrate priestly vocations through the upcoming Jubilees of Seminarians, Priests and Bishops, Bishop Thinh’s message to those who have supported him, and who continue to support Melbourne’s seminarians and clergy, is simple and heartfelt: ‘We can’t say enough how grateful we are to you. Thank you for your prayers and generosity in supporting our seminarians, our active priests and our retired priests. Without your contribution, we wouldn’t be here today,’ he says, calling for our ongoing prayers and support for seminarians and priests, both active and retired.
With simplicity and sincerity, Bishop Thinh sums up the heart of his vocation: ‘God wants us to be his brothers and sisters who are sharing and caring for one another, because we are the one Church—the Church of Christ, who calls us to be the Good News to one another.’
All photos by Casamento Photography.
