For this Catholic bishop, protecting immigrants is personal

Michael Pham fled communist Vietnam by boat as a child. Now, as bishop of San Diego, he is putting faith into action

Nearly 50 years ago, a 13-year-old boarded a tiny fishing boat from communist Vietnam with more than a hundred other people. His intended destination: anywhere but there. The boat drifted through the Pacific Ocean for three days and four nights, dodging violent storms, massive waves, even a pirating ship. For the entirety of the journey, the teenager had no food or water.

He survived the voyage, later took shelter in a Malaysian refugee camp, and was eventually granted asylum in the United States.