Nguyen Hung

The second meeting of the working group which aims to normalize relations. Vietnamese Catholics expect that the parties to also address the concrete problems facing the bishops.

A government study suggests that university professors and schoolteachers use threats and tricks against rivals, thus promoting “new values” to the students they teach. Violence has become a normal kind of behaviour in society. More than six million children are exposed to violence and abuse.

Present in the country since 1948, the association carries out a voluntary apostolate among the sick, poor, and marginalized. Activity of young people on behalf of street kids, and those sick with AIDS.

Thousands of faithful have celebrated with Bishop Hoang Van Dat, in recent weeks one of the targets of the disinformation campaign by authorities. Human Rights Watch asks the government to put an end to the violence against Catholics, and to release those who have been arrested.

Deputy public security minister tries to sow divisions among religious groups by raising an old claim about the land where the cathedral, seminary and ex- apostolic delegation now stand, claiming that it was once home to a pagoda. However, a government publication said that the pagoda was once located five kilometres to the north of the disputed land and that it was destroyed in the 1400s.

Receiving the leadership of the bishops' conference, the prime minister asserts that if the archbishop of Hanoi does not change his attitude about Church property, it will have "a negative impact" on relations with the episcopate and with the Holy See.

In the former Saigon, there are 1,750 children sick with AIDS or HIV positive, subjected to marginalization and discrimination. The communist regime is blocking the activity of the Church and of humanitarian associations, which are calling for greater "freedom and trust" to help the minors.

In a letter Redemptorist superior describes his attempts to solve by dialogue the dispute over land seized from the parish. Nine Vietnamese bishops have come to express their solidarity to the faithful who demand justice and non-discrimination for Catholics.

The authorities have especially targeted prayer group leaders who called for the return of properties seized from the Church and local parishes.

The government approves bishops’ request to use the name for their “charitable and social activities.” This will allow for a more unified approach at a national, diocesan and parish levels. However Caritas Internationalis does not get the go ahead.

The groups of volunteers working to improve the social conditions for the Sơđăng children are not able even to receive permission to bring them aid.

The government of Hanoi tried to boycott the ceremony in every way possible. He had spent 30 years in prison or under isolation or house arrest, becoming a champion of religious freedom and of human rights, respected by dissidents and activists. The eulogy by his successor, Thich Quang Do.