Vietnamese Church experience at the Synod on Youth

"Missionary points" dotted around the suburbs of the cities, catechism and priestly formation. Msgr Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng: "To help children make the right choices, to build the future and contribute to Church and society". Msgr. Peter Nguyễn Văn Viên: "Express their identity and promote the mission of truth".

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - The commitment of the Vietnamese Church to young people will also be reflected in the current Synod (3-28 October), thanks to the participation of two bishops: Msgr. Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng (photo 2), auxiliary of the archdiocese of Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), and Msgr. Peter Nguyễn Văn Viên (photo 3), auxiliary of the diocese of Vinh.

Children and families: the bishops of Vietnam have dedicated the pastoral year 2018 to them and continue to pay particular attention to this sphere. This is reflected in the "missionary points" disseminated in the suburbs of the cities, in the catechism and also in the field of priestly formation.

This year, thanks to the courses of pastoral practice carried out by the major seminary Saint Joseph of Saigon, 17 deacons have learned theories and techniques of psychological counseling. "They are ideas - the students told AsiaNews - that we can put into practice in every parish and community. In particular, we must turn to poor and less fortunate children who are shy and tormented by guilt. When we visit them and listen to them, they feel happy and become more confident. As a result, these little faithful and their families participate more often in Holy Mass ".

On several occasions, Msgr. Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng highlighted the challenges facing Vietnamese families today, such as economic difficulties and the crisis of values. On the occasion of the Migration Conference, organized by the Pastoral Center of Saigon between April 23 and 26, the bishop invited parishes to greater collaboration and the faithful to "deal with problems step by step, in the spirit of communion with the Church".

Months later, the Federation of Asian Episcopal Conferences (FABC) organized a preparatory event for the Synod on Youth. It took place in Pattaya (Thailand) between July 9 and 13. In his speech, Msgr. Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng emphasized "the need for programs for youth formation". "We must accompany young people - was his appeal - Let us help them identify and make the right choices, to build their future and contribute to the Church and society".

The diocese of Vinh, among the poorest in the country, has always encouraged young people to play a leading role in evangelization and in the missionary work of the Church. For this, during the FABC conference, Msgr. Peter Nguyễn Văn Viên reiterated that Catholics are called to "encourage young people to express their identity and promote the Church's mission of truth within their living environment".