Newest Passionist priest in Hobart keen to serve

By Josh Low

Having come to Tasmania in June, Fr Truc Hoang CP is the latest arrival among Tasmania’s Passionists, and the third priest this year to join the community at St Joseph’s Church in Hobart.

Ordained a priest of the Congregation of the Passion of Jesus Christ in 2016, Fr Truc has been a priest for seven years, and is excited at this next step in his journey.

Though ordained a religious priest, he served in his Diocese in his native Vietnam for five years, before spending two years between the Passionist communities in Melbourne and Marrickville, NSW.

When he was first informed of the move to Tasmania, Fr Truc admitted that his first response was, “Where is that?”

After two months in Hobart, Fr Truc said living here in community with his fellow Passionists has been “wonderful”, adding that he has also been warmly welcomed by the parish community.

Inspired by the charism of the Passionists, which he explained related well to the experience of the Vietnamese people, he began to discern a vocation with them more than a decade ago.

“Vietnam is a poor country and there are many poor people. There are many people living under pressure, there are many people who suffer.

“I realised that the charism of the Passionists is very close to the Vietnamese people, and I wanted to serve God and those who were suffering,” Fr Truc explained.

His ministry with the suffering in Tasmania will see him serve as Chaplain at the Royal Hobart Hospital, in a role which he is experiencing for the first time.

Having never met any of his grandparents due to their passing before his birth, Fr Truc believes his new role is a great blessing and one he is very interested and invested in.

“I never met my grandparents, so when I look at [the elderly patients], I actually see them as my grandma and grandpa who I’m serving,” he said.

As he looks to the future of his ministry here, Fr Truc just hopes to be of service in any way he can, whether at the parish, in the community or at the hospital.

“I am here to work in whatever way God is calling me to work, serving the people in need,” he said.

Tags: Hobart, News