Nha Trang (AsiaNews) – Vietnam's bishops are convinced that actively putting in practice one's faith is possible only with an education based on a commitment to social justice through prayers and the Sacraments. The prelates reached these conclusions at their annual council which took place from September 4 to the 9 in the diocese of Hue. A pastoral letter titled Living Religion Today was then sent to the country's parishes.

For Mgr Nguyen Van Hoa, chairman of the Bishops' Council, in "Viet Nam we still need to have basic human rights and development in society. Justice needs go hand in hand with respect of the truth." But for "justice to be guaranteed in our society we need to stand by the unfortunate children and the poor," he added.

Mr Hiep, head of the Young Catholics in Binh An district, told AsiaNews that parishes have an important role to play "in educating people of every age to the value of solidarity and help for the needy."

"The history of Vietnam," he explained, "is proof of the contribution made by parishes. In our district every parish is involved in this area such as organizing workshops for the young to show how life and faith can go together."