In a ceremony filled with historical significance and personal triumph, the Diocese of Phoenix installed Peter Dai Bui as its second auxiliary bishop on Tuesday, Feb. 17. A former refugee who fled Vietnam as a young boy, Bui’s ordination marks a milestone for one of the fastest-growing Catholic communities in the United States.
A Journey from Peril to Priesthood
Bishop Bui’s path to the altar began on a fishing boat in the middle of the night.
Following the fall of South Vietnam to Communism, his family escaped Phu Quoc Island, surviving a five-day voyage across the Gulf of Thailand that included a harrowing robbery by pirates.
Reflecting on these roots, Bishop John Dolan noted during the Mass:
“He knows what it means to be a refugee … searching for safety and hope. He knows what it means to arrive in a new land; to depend on the kindness of strangers and discover the providence of God in a new home.”
The Ordination Ceremony
The event at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Avondale, Ariz., drew nearly 2,500 worshippers. The liturgy was a rare display of diocesan unity, featuring all four current and emeritus bishops of Phoenix: Bishop Dolan, Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares, and Bishop Emeritus Thomas Olmsted.
Cardinal Christophe Pierre, the Vatican’s Apostolic Nuncio, emphasized the global nature of Bui’s new role:
“As an auxiliary bishop, your ministry will be one of closeness, walking with people. Remember, unity is not uniformity but communal, rooted in Christ. As the Holy Father likes to say, ‘In the One, we are one.’”
A Diverse and Global Resume
Ordained in 2003, Bishop Bui brings an extensive international background to the Phoenix leadership team:
Linguistic Skills: Fluent in Spanish, German, Italian, English, and Vietnamese.
Vatican Service: Six years with the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, managing global humanitarian and disaster relief.
Missionary Work: Served with the Legionaries of Christ in South America.
Local Leadership: Has served as the Diocese’s Vicar for Clergy since 2022, a role he will maintain.
In His Own Words
During his first public remarks as bishop, Bui expressed deep humility and gratitude for his family and fellow clergy:
To his priests: “St. John Vianney taught us the priesthood is the heart of Jesus. For three and a half years as Vicar for Clergy, I have witnessed that love in your ministry.”
On his new office: “It’s the perfect reminder that this sacred office isn’t about me. It’s about serving Christ and His people with a humble heart.”
To his siblings: “Growing up as one of 12 children was chaotic, loud, but absolutely wonderful... Thank you for being my first community, my first teachers in what it means to live together in love.”
Why This Appointment Matters
The Phoenix Diocese is now the second-largest in the nation, trailing only Los Angeles. With over 2 million Catholics and more than 50 seminarians currently in formation, the administrative and spiritual demands are surging.
As Bishop Dolan stated at the time of the appointment:
“Bishop (-elect) Bui’s experience in governance, his deep care for priests and his commitment to accompaniment will be invaluable.”
Source: https://www.catholicsun.org/2026/02/17/once-a-child-refugee-bui-ordained-as-dioceses-second-auxiliary-bishop/
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