Holy Father appoints a new Bishop in South Korea

The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Dr. Benedictus Son Hee-Song, of the Seoul Archdiocese, as the Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Seoul, Korea, assigning him the titular see of Campli.

Rev. Dr. Benedictus Son Hee-Song, was born on January 28, 1957 in Kyenki Yeonchenun Chadari, then the Archdiocese of Seoul and now the Diocese of Uijeongbu.

He studied at the Major Seminary of Seoul (1975-1979) and in Innsbruck, Austria, where he earned a Licentiate in Theology (1986) and later, a doctorate (1992). He was ordained a priest on 4 July 1986 for the archdiocese of Seoul.

 

After ordination he held the following positions:

1986-1992: Studies for a doctorate in Austria;

1992-1994: parish priest at Yongsan;

1994-2012: Professor at the Major Seminary of Seoul (Catholic University of Seoul), Director of the Seminary Library, Head of the Department for Information Technology;

1999-2007: Member of the Commission for review of publications;

2007-2013: Deputy Director of the Commission for review of publications;

since 2012: Director of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Department, Member of the Priests' Council, member of the Pastoral Council, Member of the Commission for the Ongoing Formation of the Clergy, Member of the Commission for Foreign Missions, Member and Vice-director of the Commission for the Protection of Holy Places of Martyrdom in Seoul, Member of the Commission for the management of the service center for the elderly of daily Seoul;

2013: Head of the Association of Catholic Women, Member of the Commission for verification of the Catholic Media Advertising;

2014: Head of the Committee for Planning and Coordination for the Pope's visit to Korea (14-18 August 2014).

 

He also played important roles in the Episcopal Conference:

2004-2005: Member of the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith;

2005-2012: Secretary General of the Episcopal Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith;

2005: Representative and member of the Episcopal Commission for the Causes of Beatification and Canonization;

Since 2012: Secretary General of the Episcopal Commission for the Lay Apostolate.