Hanoi ( AsiaNews)
- Thousands of Catholics are celebrating the centenary of the Diocese of Lang
Son and Cao Bang this month, both located in the homonymous provinces in
northern Vietnam , and incorporating the eastern part of the province of Ha
Giang . On
21 November a solemn celebration was held to mark their foundation on December
30, 1913 by the Holy See , from the Apostolic Prefecture of Lang Son , which
already included a large part of the territory. Archbishop Leopoldo
Girelli, the non-resident pontifical representative, presided over Mass
together with the local bishop, Msgr . Joseph Jang Duc Ngan and
hundreds of priests.
The
dioceses' jubilee is part of the celebrations of the local Catholic community
for the month of November, dedicated to the souls of the dead. In
all the dioceses and parishes of the country moments of prayer and devotion for
the dead are organized, including a Mass for the Vietnamese
martyrs and in preparation for the Advent season .
In
Lang Son - Cao Bang, Catholics number little more than 6 thousand, out of a
total of about 1,153,000 inhabitants. The
diocese covers about 15 thousand km2 and the vast majority of the population live
off agriculture. On November 21, 3,500 people - more than half of the total
Catholic population - gathered in the cathedral, to take part in the function. Some
members of ethnic groups traveled up to 450 km, from every corner of the
diocese and on board "primordial " means like wagons, to be present
and witness to their faith .
Addressing
the faithful during the homily, Msgr. Girelli
said that "we are gathered here as a sign of the communion of the
Church." He
urged the community to "keep the values" passed down by their
ancestors alive, renewing "the missionary task" for an ever "greater"
harvest.
The diocese is located in a mountainous area populated by ethnic groups such as the Kinh ( 12 thousand members ), a small representation of Chin ( 6 thousand ) , Tay and Nung 270 thousand , Hmong 15 thousand, for a total of 300 thousand people . The Bishop. Joseph Jang Duc Ngan has renewed the missionary commitment of the entire community . "In this journey 100 years long - said the prelate - we have received many blessings from God. May this journey continue to be a source of joy and hope in the sacred bond of mission [looking forward] with greater joy and conviction."