Trung Tin

After 16 years of passionate service, the cardinal steps down on having reached retirement age. He is succeeded by the coadjutor bishop Msgr. Paul Bui Van Đọc. The Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City consists of more than 20 parishes for a total of 900 thousand faithful. 2014 dedicated to Evangelization of the family.

In Our Lady of Mutual Help Parish in Ho Chi Minh City, thousands of people took part in a Mass to encourage missionary works. Proclaiming the Word of God is a task that belongs to all members of the laity. For parish vicar, the Redemptorists are an "example and model" for mission. "Each believer is called to proclaim the Word of God," Vietnamese Catholic says.

The country's dioceses relayed the messages and speeches Benedict XVI made during the 7th World Meetings of Families. Vietnam's Catholic families promote integration and tradition against materialism, selfishness and the 'culture of death'. The local Church organises educational courses and conducts pastoral activities.

The country's 26 dioceses organise events that include songs, poetry readings, traditional dancing and floral offerings to Mary. Former students at Don Bosco schools organise small groups to pray and read the Bible.

The raid took place shortly after midnight on April 14. Structure devastated, children beaten, Fr. Nguyen Van Binh, who spoke out in defense of the young guests seriously injured,. He was admitted unconscious, then taken to the archdiocesan curia. The faithful denounce the latest violation of religious freedom.

Over ten thousand pilgrims from around the country gather at the shrine to celebrate the Day called for by the Church. Father Jean Baptiste Hoang Van Khanh: "The Word of God helps us to cope with the disease. We'll never be alone, if we believe in the love of God. "

In addition to the 117 martyrs canonised by John Paul II on 16 June 1988, we must remember those who are oppressed and discriminated for their religion, those who proclaim the Word of God. Fr Nguyễn Văn Phượng, vicar of Thái Hà Church, makes an appeal once more against the expropriation of parish land. “We are praying for the dangerous task of seeking justice and truth,” he said.

Msgr. Vincent Vu Huy Chuong, former bishop of Hung Hoa, appointed to Dalat. Current Hung Hoa auxiliary Jean-Marie Vu Tat promoted. Appointments come at a difficult time for the life of the Church of the country.

A Vietnamese delegation attends the Congress of Lay Catholics in Asia in Seoul. Between persecution and martyrdom, the faithful keep the Church’s presence alive. Pastoral tasks are coupled with social action in favour of the poor, the sick, orphans and AIDS children.

Founded in 1948 by Mgr. Joseph Marie Trinh Van Can, the second Vietnamese cardinal. Today it has more than 100 thousand members and is present in 26 dioceses. The Legionaries of Mary evangelize, help the poor and sick, offer catechism, helping thousands of people.

The country's bishops have repeatedly, and so far unsuccessfully, asked the authorities to be allowed reuse the property - formerly owned by the Vatican - as a seminary. The Bishops' Conference now appeals to the Prime Minister.

State Department report on religious freedom highlights the problem. Whilst recognising improvements in Vietnamese government policies, it says abuses are still taking place, like the failure to return land and properties owned by Catholic parishes.