Bùi Chu, diocese's plan to demolish and rebuild the cathedral halted

Calls for greater discussion among  priests and those who "really want the best for the church".  The work should have started in two days.  For Catholics and the government, the 1885 building is dilapidated.  The plaster on the ceiling has repeatedly fallen suddenly, injuring the faithful.  Local architects call for government intervention to avoid a tragedy.

 Hanoi (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Work to demolish and rebuild the crumbling cathedral of Bùi Chu (photo), in the north of the country, was postponed to allow further discussions on the future of the building erected in 1885. The diocese announced the move yesterday  on its website.  Expected to begin on May 13, the plan to dismantle the cathedral in the province of Nam Định will be postponed: first wider discussions will take place between the priests and those "really want the best for the church".  The press release signed by Fr.  Joseph Nguyễn Đức Giảng, head of the cathedral construction team, does not specify how long the project will be suspended.

As soon as it was announced, the diocese's decision to demolish and rebuild the mother church met with opposition from public opinion.  Shortly after the communication, 25 local architects sent a letter to the Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc, to the Minister of Culture, Sport and Tourism Nguyễn Ngọc Thiện and to the president of Nam Định, Phạm Đình Nghị.  The professionals asked them to intervene and save the cathedral.

In the document, the cathedral is defined as "an architectural, artistic and cultural heritage  to which our ancestors have devoted much work" and "a unique work, which is not found anywhere else in Vietnam".  "The structure - the architects affirm - not only uses European architectural languages, but also combines Vietnamese elements, details and materials to create a unique work of art, demonstrating an east-west cultural exchange".  The signatories claim to have inspected the structure and found it only slightly damaged;  that its framework is still in good condition and can last a long time, if reinforced.

However, after carrying out an inspection, on May 7 a delegation from the Ministry of Culture, including officials from the Department of Cultural Heritage, came to the conclusion that the church was seriously damaged;  many elements, such as the door and the dome, have cracks and one of the two towers is no longer straight.  On the same day, government experts reported the observations and suggested solutions to the minister.

The parishioners say that the old cathedral has great significance for them, but its conditions are so severe that it is now dangerous to enter, especially during the rainy season.  On several occasions, the plaster of the ceiling has suddenly fallen.  This also happened during the celebrations and several faithful were injured.  Once one of them was hospitalized for emergency treatment.  Even the electrical system in the church is not safe because all the connectors have been used for a long period of time and are easily the cause of short circuits.

 Vu The Du, a 70-year-old parishioner who lives near the cathedral, reports to VnExpress that the bishop of Bùi Chu, Msgr.  Thomas Vu Dình Hiêu initially wanted to keep the church unchanged and restore the damaged parts.  Many local and foreign experts have examined the situation to draw up a plan, but in the end the project was considered unfeasible because the complex is too dilapidated.  Bùi Chu Cathedral is located in the municipality of Xuân Ngoc (Xuân Trường district) - 118km south of Hanoi.  The building was built 134 years ago by the Spanish bishop Mons.  Wenceslao Onate Thuan;  it is 78 meters wide and 15 meters high;  the two bell towers rise up to 35 meters.