Fr Joseph Nguyễn Văn Thế is the assistant of Đồng Chuong parish, in the diocese of Bắc Ninh. The parish covers a vast territory, with more than 6 thousand faithful. The priest was attacked brutally with sticks, batons and iron bars. He was headed to two remote areas to celebrate mass. The local faithful believe that it is premeditated violence.
A proposed law on religious practices continues to fuel controversy. For the government, it "enshrines" the right to religious freedom. For its critics, the bill does not entail any rights. In fact, it enshrines government control over religion. For Vietnamese cardinal, the authorities’ openness is phoney.
An international conference in Hanoi highlights the current shortcomings in the formation of social workers, and the need to create small teams. But the government wants to control everything, and doesn't want Catholics in the field.
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