Fa Cung

The anniversary of his death remembered in Rome and at home. On the 16th of each month, the parish of Giang Xá celebrates mass for the Cardinal’s canonization process. Giang Xá Parish is known as the place where Cardinal Văn Thuận was under house arrest for four years from 1978 to 1982.

As the new school year starts, schools implement measures to contain the COVID-19 epidemic. In some schools, teachers have created video lessons posted on their school’s website.

Before the epidemic, the Diocese of Mỹ Tho held a day of Mass and prayers for 1,200 catechumens in the local cathedral. Mr Chính is a unique case. A former secretary of the local party committee, he was baptised and became a Catholic. He said he gave up all his material interests to become a Catholic. Today, his family is happy to be in God's grace.

Whilst respecting social distancing rules, Cao Xá parish offers daily prayers and Masses via social media. Priests visit families and confess the faithful. Parish council members pray with family groups.

At least 50 gangsters, thugs and local officials have seized some of the monastery's land. Some went inside the cloister, disturbing the monks' prayers and life. "Red capitalists" use violence, abductions and communist ideology to make life for the monks impossible in order to force them out. The latter have appealed to the authorities, foreign embassies, and human rights organisations.

A Memorandum of Understanding is signed in Hanoi to support sustainable fishing and Vietnamese fishermen. Earlier, US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said that the US would support countries in South-East Asia when they believe their maritime sovereignty is violated by China.

The Catholic Students’ Association celebrated the end of the school year. After Mass, Father Giuse Trần Công Hường, head of the Association, solemnly performed the ritual of going out to carry out the mission (Nghi thức sai đi) for 121 graduates.

The diocese, which stretches along the border with China, has "the smallest number of faithful" in Vietnam’s Catholic Church, but has "huge" potential. Preaching the Gospel is not limited to the diocese, but can be done in association with the dioceses in nearby China.

The Covid-19 pandemic has adversely affected the economic activities and lives of the residents. Many families are in difficulty. The poor lack food. The pastor fosters social and charitable activities to help poor families in this community.

For Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng of Ho Chi Minh City, “After a long journey, you receive the baptism. It is not you who sought God, it is God who has sought you for a long time”.

Father Joseph Lê Quang Uy, a Redemptorist assists the group to help people who sell lottery tickets on the streets, abandoned people, disabled people and unhappy children, including those who living in difficult situations.

The government has announced the easing of epidemic restriction measures. Therefore the offices of the dioceses informed the priests, religious and the faithful about the "normalization of religious activities". In each parish, the priest will celebrate the liturgy and the hour of daily prayer in the church and organize catechism lessons and pilgrimages.