Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – More than 10,000 people celebrated Card Pham Minh Man’s ten years at the helm of the Archdiocese of Saigon, which has not changed its name as the city has, now known as Ho Chi Minh City. Since 10 April 1998 he has led the pastoral activity whose main aim was building more united Catholic communities defined by mutual love.
In these years all the components of the Church—priests, men and women religious and the laity—have learnt and cultivated their capacity to increase pastoral activities.
Figures show that today some 316 priests carry out their ministry in 209 parishes, and that 646,732 lay people are members of 16 big Catholic associations
“The cardinal is very attentive to developments in society. His writings are simple, full and deep; everyone can understand him,” Ms Su told AsiaNews, “especially through his behaviour and good examples in terms of social activities for AIDS patients, migrants, the poor and have-not children.”
“The cardinal has always told us to love another as Jesus loves us,” she added. “By means of concrete deeds Catholics have helped a lot of people; those suffering from AIDS for example get the right drugs and encouragement in their spiritual life. This way many people, including migrants, have found God. There is unity and we help one another.”
