Pope Francis created the country’s 27th diocese by splitting it from Vinh. Despite economic difficulties, Catholics play a leading role in evangelisation and Church missionary work. Their contribution is also appreciated by the government.
Hanoi (AsiaNews) – The Vietnamese Church marked the birth of the country’s 27th diocese by responding to Pope Francis's call to "live the Gospel in the heart of the nation".
On 22 December 2018, the pontiff created the new Diocese of Hà Tĩnh, separating it from Vinh. The new ecclesiastical district is suffragan to the Archdiocese of Hà Nôi.
Hà Tĩnh’s first bishop is 74-year-old Mgr Phaolô (Paul) Nguyễn Thái Hợp (pictured) who was until his new posting the bishop of Vinh, where he was succeeded by Mgr Anphongsô (Alphonse) Nguyễn Hữu Long, 65, the auxiliary bishop of Hung Hoá until now.
The Diocese of Hà Tĩnh covers 14.091 square kilometres and overlaps the provinces of Hà Tĩnh and Quảng Bình, in north-central Vietnam, and is home to various religious groups: animists, Buddhists, Protestants and Catholics.
Out of a population of more than two million, Catholics number about 204,000 with 96 parishes, 93 priests, 19 men religious, 188 women religious and 56 seminarians.
The new Diocese of Vinh covers 16,399 square kilometres in Nghệ An province. Catholics are about 280,000 or 9 per cent of the population with 93 parishes, 126 priests, 26 men religious, 721 religious sisters and 60 seminarians.
In Hà Tĩnh and Vinh, Catholics proudly live in communion with the Holy See and participate enthusiastically in the initiatives of the Justice and Peace Commission, led by Mgr Nguyên Thái Hop.
Most are engaged in traditional economic activities (farming, fishing, crafts) and belong to minority ethnic groups: Kinh, H'Mong, Thổ, Khơ Mú, Ơ Đu, Thái, Mường, Chứt.
Despite living in one poorest parts of the country and facing economic difficulties, they play a major role in evangelisation and the Church’s missionary work.
Year in, year out, Catholic clergy and lay people are involved in welfare and charity activities in the two dioceses, ranging from assisting the victims of natural disasters (like typhoons and floods) to helping the poor, disabled, young people and children.
This year, the parish of An Nhiên bought 3,000 notebooks for students, and handed out blankets and mosquito nets to the most disadvantaged.
In Hương Khê Catholics fund Tết Vì Người Nghèo (Lunar New Year for the Poor), a programme to help the poor. During the Christmas holidays, Fr Nguyễn Ngọc Nga, vicar of Dụ Thành, handed out gifts to families in need.
The Hội Tình Thương (Compassion Association) collected rice and pork for the needy in the town of Kỳ Lợi, and in Kỳ Anh District. In Ha Tĩnh City, Catholics run community programmes for economic development that support the families of farmers and cattle breeders.
Even the Communist government has expressed its appreciation for what Catholics do, praising them in one of the latest issues of the journal of the Committee for Religious Affairs.
"In Hà Tĩnh, Catholics are living a historical moment,” the paper writes. “They always uphold the spirit of communion and ‘live the Gospel in the heart of the nation'."