Advent, "a time of hope for AIDS patients" in Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - Advent is "a time of hope for people with AIDS. That is why the Church does everything it can so that they do not feel alone; at the same time, it promotes awareness about the risks linked to the disease," said a Catholic from the Diocese of Ba Ria who spoke to AsiaNews about what the local Catholic community is doing in favour of people living with the HIV virus.
Such work is especially important since Vietnam's Health Ministry expects the infection to reach a peak next year in this particular area. For this reason, activities held on 1 December, World AIDS Day, focused on prevention.
Caritas, which picked the same date for its own "awareness day," ran seminars, provided information and organised social activities, culminating in a final Mass for all participants at Ba Ria cathedral.
The Diocese of Ba Ria is one of the youngest of the Vietnamese Church. Established on 11 December 2005, it covers an area of almost 2,000 km2 with a population of 908,000, including 224,000 Catholics.
Soon after its creation, Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tram agreed to the creation of a ministry providing pastoral care to AIDS patients. In addition to the latter, its main purpose is to limit social exclusion.
In Vung Tau province, which includes Ba Ria diocese, the HIV virus has infected more than 5,000 people, most of whom between 20 and 39 years.
Speaking to AsiaNews, Mr Tu, head of diocesan projects for AIDS patients, said, "In the districts of Xuyen Moc and Binh Gia we have more than 150 volunteers who help the sick, carrying out activities aimed primarily at young people. Prevention and awareness about risks are our main concerns."
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02/12/2004
27/07/2022 17:47
