Diocese of Kontum: 60 new Catholics baptised
On Easter eve, a group of ethnic Jarai became Christian in Anphongso, at the local Redemptorist mission. This is a sign of hope in a farming area seriously affected by the global health crisis.
Kontum (AsiaNews) – On Easter night, 60 ethnic Jarai received the sacrament of baptism. The celebration took place in Anphongso sub-parish (Diocese of Kontum).
The mission is located in Ia RSai, a village in Krong Pa District (Gia Lai Province) with a population of 6,175 residents, 80 per cent of whom belong to minority ethnic groups, making a living mostly from farming and livestock.
“Fr Vincent Bùi Thanh Quang, head of the Anphongso sub-parish, celebrated the service,” said Fr Jos Hữu Hoan, a member of the Redemptorist order. “These brothers and sisters spent a long time learning the catechism and participating in the pastoral activities of the parish. Now, on the day that Jesus is risen, they have become God’s children.”
Baptism is a sign of hope at a particularly difficult time. This part of Vietnam came under a new lockdown from 14 February to 9 March due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That is why agricultural production and the economic situation of families have been negatively affected. This came on top of increasingly extreme weather conditions, frequent droughts, epidemics and outdated farming techniques that have cut harvest yields.
The prices of agricultural goods and products are also not stable and this has drastically affected the lives of people living in small communities such as that of Ia RSai.
Most local farmers grow cassava (khoai mì), from which comes tapioca. They were particularly affected by the fall in prices.
“In the previous harvest season,” said Ksor H'Ly, who lives in the village of Ktinh, “drought and parasites reduced tapioca output. In my family’s case, we have more than one hectare to grow cassava. We only got nearly eight tonnes of fresh cassava tubers,” she explained.
“Revenue decreased by nearly a half of the previous harvest season. At that time, the price was also very low. The price ranges from 1,000 VND to 1,400 VND (about US$ 0,043 to US$ 0,061) for one kilogram. So, after we subtracted the investment costs, my family only earned some millions VND,” about two or three hundreds US dollars.
“The road to the village is almost all unpaved,” said Rơ O HNga. “It is very difficult to travel, especially in the rainy season. Moreover, traders put pressure on farmers to lower their prices.”
In Ia RSai, the chairman of the People's Committee (municipality) noted that through the support of the local population, the new Rural Construction Programme achieved some initial results.
in recent years, some experts helped local farmers (Catholic and non-Catholic) to change the way they grow and breed, applying science and technology.
In the spirit of the Easter season, Catholics in Anphongso hope that this too can be a beginning of a better life.
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19/07/2005
