The opening ceremonies took place in Sở Kiện, The Ba Giồng, and in the shrine of Our Lady of La Vang. About 20,00 Catholics took part in the solemn Mass of the Ecclesiastical Province of Hà Nội. The faithful remember the heroic history of the Vietnamese Church. Almost 500 years ago the first cross was planted. About 300,000 people died during the various waves of persecution.
Pope Francis chose “welcome, protect, promote and integrate” migrants as the theme of this year’s World Refugee Day. Currently, there are 68.5 million refugees worldwide. The Jesuit Refugee Service launches the "4 words to open the world" campaign.
Pope Francis is hopeful about relations with China, which are not just based on diplomatic talks but also on cultural exchanges and friendship. For him, Card Zen is "a little scared".
One hundred families went back to the eastern sector of the northern metropolis. A Chaldean priest talks about reconstruction. In addition to houses, social and economic life must be rebuilt. For Muslim leaders, there is no rebirth without Christians.
"From the beginning, the Tempter wants to deceive man and woman", convincing them that "God forbade them the fruit of the tree of good and evil to keep them submissive. The challenge is this: the first rule that God has given to man, is it the imposition of a despot who prohibits and compels, or is it the love of a father who is taking care of his children? ".
On World Refugee Day, AsiaNews offers testimonies from the Jesuit Refugee Service. For thousands of refugees, Jesuit centers represent salvation, against hunger and illiteracy. The two faces of refugees: hope and despair, happiness mixed with rage at the suffering of the Syrian conflict.
