by Thanh Thúy

The Diocese of Nha Trang held the second annual conference of Vietnamese bishops. The non-permanent representative of the Holy See and some 26 prelates from around the country took part in the event. For the president of the Bishops' Conference, families are "houses of prayer" open to "solidarity and mutual sharing."

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - "Each parish is a large family of families" and "every family", the founding nucleus of society, is a party to proclaiming the "Good News to others," this according to Vietnamese bishops who issued a pastoral letter at the end of their second annual conference, held on 27-30 October in the Diocese of Nha Trang, southern Vietnam.

Some 26 prelates from around the country attended the event, as did Mgr Leopoldo Girelli, non-permanent representative of the Holy See in the Communist nation.

In the letter, the bishops underscore "pastoral programmes" promoted by local churches in favour of families and the task given to each parish to help "immigrants and their families."

In the pastoral letter, the president of the Vietnamese bishops' conference, Saigon Archbishop Mgr Paul Bui Van Đọc praised the "initiatives put in place by dioceses and parishes and apostolic associations" that "accompany families" in their journey of faith.

As such, the prelate calls for "help to Catholic families" to become "houses of prayer" and "places of love," dwellings that are "open to solidarity and mutual sharing."

During the three-day event, bishops and priests shared views, opinions and problems with regards to evangelisation and the pastoral care of the family, a task carried out through education and faith that starts in parishes and congregations of men and women religious.

In 1987, Vietnam's Communist government launched an 'open door' policy towards a market economy; a decision that has had a great impact on Vietnamese society, including students and workers, by offering consumerist and materialistic ways of life, especially in big cities.

This has had a major impact not only on the social economy, but also on how the Christian faith is experienced and practiced.

During the opening day, Mgr Girelli shared Bible reading and study with conference participants, passing on Pope Francis' thoughts and teachings to the Vietnamese bishops.

A few months ago, the Argentine pope shared his reflections on cultures, religions, society and the poor with Asian bishops during the sixth Asian Youth Day.

During his apostolic visit to Seoul, Francis paid special attention to the Church of Vietnam, which has been the victim of persecution and abuses by the Vietnamese government for a long time, spurring it to proclaim the Gospel to everyone.

• vietnam
• bishops’
• conference
• catholic
• church
• communist
• nation
• family