by TT

For many communities in the diocese, Christmas and Easter are the only time when they can attend Mass. The local bishop celebrated Mass in a private home because the local administration has not allowed the construction of a place of worship. He performed the rite of the 'Washing of the Feet' to 100 people, including women and children.

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - Despite the fear of arrest and repression, but boosted by a strong faith, Catholics celebrated the rites of Holy Week and Easter in the remote and mountainous areas of the Diocese of Kontum, in the central highlands of Vietnam.

For many people, the solemn celebrations for the death and resurrection of Jesus, along with Christmas, are the only opportunity to attend Mass.

This was the case for the Catholic community in the town of Kanat, K'Bang District, where Bishop Michael Đức Hoàng Oanh celebrated Mass on 17 April, Holy Thursday.

The local Catholic community has long been targeted by the authorities.

The prelate expressed his closeness through the ritual of the "Washing of the feet" to 100 parishioners, including women and children.

Mgr Hoàng celebrated the service in a home provided by a faithful with about a hundred people crammed in an area of approximately 100 m².

The Catholic community has lobbied the local administration for a long time to get a permit to build a place of worship, but always got a flat refusal.

"The faithful can attend Mass only twice a year," the prelate said, "on Christmas and Easter."

For this reason, he wanted to be present and bear witness before the community of the closeness and solidarity of the whole Vietnamese Catholic Church.

K'Bang District authorities "make life difficult for the faithful," the prelate explained, and many Catholics "do not openly show their religious affiliation for fear of retaliation."

When priests come anonymously to celebrate "underground Masses", the authorities lie in waiting "to arrest priests and faithful."

Home to some 54 Catholic families, the community of Lang Son faces similar difficulties.

However, if the authorities allowed real religious freedom and the opportunity to build a place of worship, "the number of faithful would be in the hundreds of thousands," the bishop said.

A hundred nuns and more than 3,000 worshippers also attended Mass on 16 April in Dak Mot District. The service was co-celebrated by Mgr Đức Hoàng Oanh together with Bishop Peter Trần Thanh Chung and more than 130 priests.

In his homily, the prelate called on people to "pray for us" so "your prayers may help us lead God's flock."

At present, Vietnam has a population of about 87 million people, including 48 per cent Buddhists, slightly more than 7 per cent Catholic, 5.6 per cent holding syncretistic beliefs, and lastly, approximately 20 per cent atheist.

Although they are a minority (albeit an important one), Christians are particularly active in education, health and social affairs.

Conversely, religious freedom has been steadily declining in the country. More controls and restrictions on worship came into effect with Decree 92 in accordance with the rules and directives imposed by the Communist government and the one party state.

The authorities have targeted religious leaders, including Buddhists and Catholics, as well as entire communities, which is what happened last year in the Diocese of Vinh, where media and government carried out a smear campaign and targeted attacks against the bishop and members of the community.

The crackdown also affects individuals who claim the right to religious freedom and respect for citizens' civil rights.

• vietnam
• catholic
• crackdown
• easter