Nguyen Van Tranh

In the central high plains, working conditions for missionaries are often prohibitive; no roads, obstacles such as local authorities and language barriers, the most urgent that need to be tackled. A mission that concentrates on the spiritual and material well being of the individual.

He headed the Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam, banned by the government. He passed away at the age of 87, half of which spent in prison, internal exile or under house arrest. For him religious freedom is also the basis of economic progress.

Talks take place after Catholics stage a protest demanding the return of the nuncio’s building in Hanoi. The community is very hopeful and optimistic that the issue will be solved step by step.

In 4-5 thousand, bearing candles, they peacefully asked and prayed that a building that had housed the Apostolic delegate and is part of the Archbishopric, be restored to the community. The building, which most recently has been used as a night club, is also the subject of a petition presented to the local government.

With the pretext of authorising religious celebrations, authorities in the province of Kontum, where the Montagnard ethnic minority live, control and limit the rights of Catholics. State propaganda continues to describe the Church as a hostile force.

4 other members of the Progression Party are condemned along with him. The Hanoi government arrests and suppresses dissidents and human rights campaigners.

Human rights groups slam Vietnam’s government for its crackdown. Greater restrictions are coming as Father Ly, a Catholic priest, goes before a court charged with propaganda against the Communist Party. Religious freedom needs a broader scope. Under the law religious organisations are not allowed to operate in schools, health care facilities, social services, newspapers and publishing.

In Son La province party officials have banned mass and group prayers, threatened and defamed Catholics, to push them to abandon religion.

The Centre’s activities with five thousands kids from the big city continue. Items the children make are sold.

Sister Nirmala applied for a permit months ago. The sisters are present but only unofficially through a local congregation inspired by the Missionaries of Charity. Their work among the poor and in favour of orphans is officially not allowed but secretly appreciated.

The community of Gia An has grown in recent years to 1,500 members. They are very poor people but their dream is to have a new church for services and catechism, defying their miserable conditions and obstacles posed by the regime.

As the annual Bishops' Council ends, the Church in Vietnam reflects upon its pastoral commitment to the poor and the needy. Parishes' educational role towards the young remains key.