Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – Pastoral ministry among dispossessed people is bearing fruit in Vietnam and is well viewed by the authorities. Recently, the deputy president of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City gave the go-ahead to the archdiocese to open a centre for people with AIDS in Can Gio district.

The annual evaluation of the Committee of Pastoral and Social Action of the diocese revealed that “the local Catholic Church has taken root among the poor and deprived children, achieving missionary results through charity”.

This is what Fr Joseph Dinh Huy Huong, head of the committee, said when he gave an account of pastoral and social activities in 2006, showing the way ahead for 2007 and years to come. After the presentation, 60 participants shared their opinions about future activities.

Fr Vu said: “In every parish we are very keen on social activities, but we have no plan or schedule. We lack knowledge and skills to carry out charitable and social works in parish communities. That we have the chance to work together and share experiences with one another is hopeful.”

One parishioner asked: “Why do we mention HIV and AIDS and always focus on this? There are several other social problems that need our intervention too.”

Sr Nguyen Thi Chinh shared the story of a child infected by AIDS who was socially discriminated against. “No one was helping this child, not even our parishes.” The sister said many children and young people need the help of the church. The local government has encouraged the church to work with people infected by AIDS – it is estimated that there are about 40,000 in the city. “Through social work, we have plenty to do to help the poor and children who are living in difficult situations.” A social worker told AsiaNews: “We can implement modest projects in each parish, setting up a network to share experiences together and to help each other.  

The deputy president of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has accepted a diocesan proposal and given the green light to set up Phuc Sinh Centre, which will cater for people infected by AIDS in Can Gio district.

“Through social activities, priests, sisters and lay people have come close to and helped many, like people who are disabled, blind children, street children, prostitutes and young drug addicts, as well as people with AIDS,” said Hung of the social work group of Thu Duc parish. “We do not discriminate against anyone. People from different religions come to us and in many cases they decide of their own free will to be baptized.”