Msgr. VATH, Charles Herman was born on 12 October 1909, in Rhineland, Germany. Early in his life, Msgr. VATH, Charles Herman came to China for business and served enthusiastically at the Church in Shanghai. In 1948, he made the decision to leave business and join the Beda College in Rome for religious studies. He was ordained priest in Rome in March 1952 and arrived in Hong Kong later that year. In 1958, Msgr. VATH, Charles Herman assumed the position of Board of Director of Catholic Social Welfare Bureau, serving until 1967. In 1961, he was appointed Papal Chamberlain to the Pope, with the title of Monsignor.