Nguyen Hung

At the end of his visit to Vietnam, the German cardinal met the sisters who have become the victims of "red capitalists". For some time, the authorities have tried to demolish the school the nuns run and seize its land. The cardinal praised their work for the sick, children, and marginalised. The provincial superior calls on human rights organisations and Catholics around the world to help.

Hai’s brother and sister are in the last stage of cancer. Some Catholics in Ho Chi Minh City visited the family. "We were very impressed by their attitude. Now we hung the image of the Divine Mercy on our family’s altar." On 8 December, Archbishop Bùi Văn Đọc opened the Holy Door in the Notre-Dame Cathedral in front of 2 thousand faithful. For him, “we get closer to the poor and those who suffer.

Established in 1955, the parish is located in Ho Chi Minh City’s Hoc Mon district. This year, it is organising working groups and charitable activities ahead of the World Family Meeting in Philadelphia (22-25 September). Parishioners work “with poor children and elderly people,” not just as social workers, but also as “witnesses of the love of Jesus".

To denounce inadequacy of education system, the Redemptorists of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh celebrated Masses and prayers. At least 7 thousand people took part in the functions of the weekend. Criticism of the education "one-way" system touted by the Communist Party. 90% of young people have no faith in the current system.

During celebrations for the 20 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the US Secretary of State urges Hanoi to defend human rights and democracy, tying future arms sales to this condition. The danger of Beijing in the South China Sea

Every year, about a million students leave high school in Ho Chi Minh City. About 100,000 complete degrees in social and natural sciences at the city’s universities. In the coming days, about 158,000 students will take university entrance exams. Caritas Saigon is helping thousands of poor students with free accommodation. One educator complains about the country’s flawed educational system and government indifference.

The ban covers disputed maritime areas and most of Vietnam’s and Philippines’ coastal waters. Hundreds of thousands of people who depend on fishing could lose their jobs. For Vietnam, China “does not have the right to ban fishing in our waters.”

The congregation, present in Vietnam since 1921, has welcomed its new superior, who will be in office from 2015 to 2019. Fr Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Bich told AsiaNews that his focus will be on children, seniors and war veterans. The social ministry will reflect the Gospel message. Can Gio Parish welcomes its new pastor.

Despite its “liberal” claims, Vietnam continues to repress and threaten religious minorities in an attempt to control their activities. Regardless of this, the Catholic Church remains committed to Rome, whilst oppression and injustice by the Communist Party undermines the trust people had in government. This is jeopardising the whole system.

On a pastoral visit to Vietnam, the prefect of Propaganda Fide brought the pope's blessing as well as his call to renew the missionary journey. Catholics are tasked with "going out" to proclaim the Gospel before those who "do not yet know God." At a Mass at the Marian Shrine, the cardinal entrusted evangelisation in the Asian country to the Virgin of La Vang.

Our Lady of Mutual Aid Parish hosted an interfaith gathering giving some hospitality, solidarity and financial assistance to war veterans. Maimed, disabled, living on the margins of society, the latter have to live by their wits. We "would like to give you Jesus' love and respect," said Redemptorist superior.

The Church celebrates three-day festivity marking the start of the year of the Horse with Masses and moments of prayer. Caritas expresses closeness to HIV-positive people. Two Ho Chi Minh City priests promote initiatives for children. For Saigon Catholic, faith is the remedy to the "disasters caused by atheism in the north."