Vietnam

The police of Ha Nam caused the death of a 62-year-old Degar man in prison. They did not allow his wife to take the body to give it a Christian burial because the body "must remain in prison until his sentence is up".

After a lull due to Communist repression, the Holy Sacrament movement is back stronger than ever in providing pastoral care to street kids and education to young people.

In the first six month of 2006, 16 kids have taken their lives in mass suicides, mostly using sleeping pills. For local teachers, schools must teach spiritual values, consumerism is the greatest evil.

Answers were sent from the examination hall itself. Education Ministry imposes disciplinary measures on teachers. Some scholars complain that the education system is going through a "serious moral crisis".

National Assembly debates ways to eliminate buying-selling of favours, approves five-year plan. Education and human development get short-thrifted.

Marriage catechism, youth sex education and dangers related to abortion are topics addressed in a seminar organised by Saint-Paul Parish. More than 500 people from across the country participated.

The accused, who were sentenced to three to seven years in prison, were charged with anti-national propaganda and organising illegal emigration as well as held responsible for Christian demonstrations in 2002-2005.

The church of St John the Baptist was completed and inaugurated with a solemn mass. Cardinal Pham Minh Man presided over the celebration and reminded the faithful about the importance of prayer and education of youth, the primary commitment of the new structure.

The archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam is celebrating national Family Day by holding prayers and meetings. A workshop reflected on the challenges and the value of the family, all in anticipation of the fifth World Meeting of Families in Spain.

Nguyen Minh Triet, a reformer, has succeeded Tran Duc Luong, who stepped down. The new premier will be officially appointed shortly. The state leadership's changes were decided months ago.

The cemetery is the initiative of Catholic volunteers, who have remained anonymous for security reasons. They celebrate the sacredness of life and struggle against the culture of death spreading in Vietnam through individualism and consumerism. Similar cemeteries have been set up in Pleiku and Ho Chi Minh City.

Today, the president, prime minister and chairman of the National Assembly submitted their resignations. Their successors should be announced next week. The decision is the first step towards an "expected re-shuffle" in the nation's leadership.