Auxiliary Bishop Peter Dai Bui spent eight days in Rome this month for a time of formation alongside 147 other new bishops from five continents, all of whom, like himself, were ordained in the past year. Among them was Bishop James Misko from the neighboring Diocese of Tucson.
Informally referred to as “Baby Bishops’ School” or “Bishops’ Boot Camp,” the opportunity offers new bishops a time of prayer, formation and fellowship, fostering encouragement and camaraderie among one another.
“[We’re] coming into the Episcopal ministry knowing that [we’re] going to be supported by the Church and above all, by [our] brother bishops,” said Bishop Bui, who was ordained in February 2026 as the second auxiliary bishop of the Diocese of Phoenix.
In his role, Bishop Bui assists Bishop John Dolan and Auxiliary Bishop Eduardo Nevares in shepherding the 2 million Catholics within the nearly 44,000 square miles that make up one of the fastest-growing dioceses in the United States. He also serves as the Vicar for Clergy for the diocese.
Attendees spent time in small groups sharing experiences of their early days as bishops, including their impressions and their hopes. They also took workshops covering a range of topics, from finance to preaching, all of which cover the administration of a diocese. The new bishops were also introduced to Vatican staff and became familiar with their offices.
“It’s a blessing, knowing that we support one another and we pray for one another,” Bishop Bui continued.
Pope Leo XIV met with the new bishops and encouraged them with an address on Sept. 10, saying, “Everyone must find a place in the bishop’s heart, for everyone already has a place in the heart of Christ.”
One of the major adjustments of new bishops is moving from parish life to serving the faithful of an entire diocese. “[As a pastor] you belong to a small parish community. You know their challenges, you know their joys, their sorrows, their struggles, and they know that you support them,” Bishop Bui remarked on the transition. “So you really belong and connect to a small community.
“Being a bishop you belong to the whole diocese. I know that when [the faithful] see me, they’re seeing their shepherd … When they see a bishop, they see the Church.”
Two bonus opportunities occurred while Bishop Bui was in Italy, bringing him much joy.
Having served at the Vatican for six years (2011-2016) as an official of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, which leads charitable, humanitarian and disaster-relief efforts for the Church, Bishop Bui was able to have dinner and “a big reunion” with his old colleagues on Borgo Pio, the street directly in front of Porta Sant’Anna where the Swiss Guards are located.
He also joined the new bishops on a pilgrimage to Assisi during this Jubilee year of St. Francis, honoring the 800th anniversary of the saint’s death. He visited the tomb of St. Francis, as well as the incorrupt body of St. Carlo Acutis, the first millennial saint who was canonized in 2025.
“It was a very beautiful spiritual journey of a pilgrimage to Assisi,” concluded Bishop Bui. “Everyone who has been there knows that as soon as you enter, there’s a peace that descends on you. It’s a beautiful place.”
