TAIPEI (Agencies): Bishop Thomas Chung An-Zu of Chiayi, was named the new Archbishop of Taipei, by Pope Francis the Holy See Press Office announced on May 23, after the resignation of Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan, who has reached the canonical age of retirement and will be 76-years-old in November.
Bishop Chung was born on 7 August 1952, in Yunlin county. He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Tainan on 26 December 1981 and ordained auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Taipei on 30 December 2006.
Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Bishop of Chiayi on 24 January 2008 and his installation took place on 1 March 2008.
Pope also appointed Bishop Chung the administrator of the Kinmen (Quemoy) Islands and Matsu Islands, which are located a few miles off the coast of mainland China, scene of military clashes between China and Taiwan in the past.
Bishop Chung has vast pastoral experience in youth, medical, school and cultural outreach, having worked for years at Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei.
In recent years, four bishops of Chiayi subsequently became archbishops of Taipei, including the recently retired Archbishop Hung.
