Vietnam's Catholics join prayers for China
The campaign launched by the underground Church is drawing more followers. Vietnamese Catholics are praying for religious freedom "in both countries". "We always pray for unity of the church in China," wrote the Carmelites from Taiwan. There have also been responses from Cuba and many other countries.
Hanoi (Asianews) Vietnamese Catholics have also joined in prayers for the "sister" underground Church of China, that underground priests and bishops, submitted to pressure and threats to separate from the Pope, may be strong and courageous. This is taking place in the northern diocese of Vinh, where there are Catholic youth married to Chinese and in Saigon too, where small groups have come together to pray for churches living in Socialist countries, China and Vietnam.
A Vietnamese priest from the diocese of Thai Binh said: "We are praying with the pope for China's underground Church and for the Church in Vietnam, we pray for religious freedom in both countries." A lay person from Saigon said there was a prayer meeting in her parish every Saturday for "emigrant students". Coming from different dioceses of Vietnam, they pray together and say the rosary for the Churches of Vietnam, China and "other countries where there are difficulties imposed by the government".
One worker from Ho Ci Minh City said: "My family is Catholic and lives in Vinh diocese. Every day we work very hard, but we never have enough food. The parish has helped us, as we pray for one another, for ourselves and also for Chinese Catholics." In another parish in central Vietnam, where there are 4,000 Catholics, including 300 from ethnic minorities, group prayers were held. "We are together, sharing our diversities, reading the Bible, singing hymns with the community," said one. "We prayed in our language during New Year celebrations, especially for the Church of China and Vietnam."
AsiaNews also heard from a priest in another Communist country, Cuba, who joined in the prayer campaign. He recalled his ordination by a bishop "nearly dead as a result of ill treatment submitted".
Backing for the initiative came from the very beginning from the three Asian cardinals created by Benedict XVI. Cardinal Zen said from Hong Kong: "We want to pray that they remain firm in our Christian and Catholic roots of affection for and ties with the Pope." From Seoul, Cardinal Cheong said: "Many in Korea hope China will have religious freedom". For his part, Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales, told of his personal union in prayer and said he had intended to talk about the campaign with other bishops in the Philippines.
Together with them, parishes, convents, retired priests, associations, families and individuals from around their world have given their backing to the call of AsiaNews to unite in prayer with Chinese Catholics.
Recently, we heard from Poor Clares of a monastery in Greece, about their "passionate love for the Church that suffers", and from Salesians in Coruna, about their concern "for the Chinese people". The Carmelites from Taiwan wrote: "We always pray for the unity of the Church in China." On the anniversary of the assassination attempt against John Paul II, an Australian invoked the protection of the Virgin of Fatima upon China. A priest from Montreal, in Canada, let us know that he was inspired to pray for China during a pilgrimage to Lourdes. "May the Chinese government realize that communion with Rome would be of great advantage not only for the Church, but for the entire country". From China, Josefina, a volunteer working with lepers, joined the campaign.
"At the end of each Mass, I will ask that a prayer to Our Lady be said for 'official' Catholics in China and for their pastors," wrote a parish priest from Prato. A Norwegian priest of Bergen said much the same, while the organizing committee of the Macerata-Loreto pilgrimage said it had included a prayer for China in the intentions of a procession on 10 June. The youth committee of the diocese of Como said it will suggest that youth taking part in their summer activities will support a Chinese seminarian. Some priests said the Church in China is in their intentions for the month, and many individuals have asked their parish priests to do the same. Many have spread the call to prayer among their friends.
Prayers have also been forthcoming from Australia, Poland, Taiwan, Bosnia, Romania, Paraguay, Argentina, Spain, Hungary and Czech Republic.
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21/12/2018 09:43
