An agreement promising as much was reached between the Bishop of Vinh, and local authorities. The historical building of the parish, half-destroyed during the war, proclaimed "memorial in remembrance of American crimes" in 2009 was at the centre of repeated attacks against the faithful, with injuries and arrests.

Vinh (AsiaNews) - Catholics of the parish of Tam Toa in Dong Hoi, will finally have a church. An agreement in principle, as reported by the Bishop of Vinh, Nguyen Thai Hop, "has been reached in relation to the land on which the new church will be built."

In 2009, the Church of Tam Toa (pictured) was at the centre of a conflict between Catholics and local authorities, with beatings, injuries and arrests. For Vietnamese Catholics the building has a very special significance. It’s existence was first documented in 1631 and in the seventeenth century it was the largest in the region, then called Sao Bun, with 1200 faithful. The present building, in Portuguese style with a typical large bell tower, was built in 1887 and was considered one of the most beautiful churches in the country. During the war it was hit during American bombing, leaving only the facade and bell tower standing. When the war ended, the parishioners were so impoverished that they could afford its restoration. Nevertheless, religious ceremonies were held regularly on its land. Until 1996, when the People's Committee of Quang Binh province confiscated it, establishing what would become "a memorial site" that should be "preserved and protected for future generations to remember the war crimes of the Americans ".

The diocese’s requests for the return of the church fell on deaf ears, despite the fact it was the only one available to the faithful of the area, who had erected a crucifix and a tent in front of the ruins of the building for their celebrations. The authorities, on July 20, 2009 removed both cross and tent and the faithful were attacked and severely beaten. This episode was followed days later by an even more severe attack, with one priest ending up in coma. There were numerous arrests. The story sparked anger among all Catholics in the country.

Compounding the tension, were rumours of that the authorities were motivated in their decision by  corruption and the possibility to use the land for a tourist resort.

Bishop and the faithful responded firmly. On August 15, some 200 thousand Catholics gathered around the Bishop, Thai Hop in peaceful protest.

Now the provincial People's Committee had decided to grant land to the diocese, not where the historic church is, but in the city centre.

• Vietnam
• Tam
• Toa
• catholic
• church
• land
• dispute
• communist
• party
• corruption