by Thanh Thuy

Thousands of believers took part in prayer services promoted by the diocese. Several meetings were organised for catechumens and newcomers. Fr Khue warned, "We are becoming indifferent to the pain of others. We have to share Christ’ love."

Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Tens of thousands of Catholics and hundreds of men and women religious took part in Easter celebrations in the Diocese of Phat Diem through prayers, retreats and acts of charity, in a spirit of communion with the universal Church.

"We attended Easter meditations to purify us, to renew our lives through God’s repentance and forgiveness, and to live the Good News in everyday life,” some students told AsiaNews.

"We [Christians] have to live with a clear goal and clear,” said Fr Luke Pham Quang Huy.

“We should not dream about money or positions in society,” he noted. Likewise, “We should never lose faith in God’s grace. We should not lose our parents’ love. Above all, we must be united and in solidarity with one another in the Church."

Phat Diem is one of Vietnam’s main dioceses (founded in 1901), and covers an area of ​​approximately 1,800 km2 in the north of the country. It is home to some 2 million people, 10 per cent Catholic, and has 65 parishes and about a thousand catechists.

Its main church is Phat Diem Cathedral (pictured). Built in 1875 in an oriental style, it is the pride of the Vietnam’s Catholics.

On 1 April, Bishop Joseph Nguyen Nang celebrated the Chrism Mass in Dong Chua Church before some 5,000 faithful. During a spiritual retreat, he addressed special words to educators.

"Meditation,” he told them, “is a time to examine our lives through God’s light. Let us acknowledge our sins and return to God’s merciful love.”

“You are teachers,” he went on to say. “You must bring God’s merciful love to your students, by loving them and protecting them."

Speaking about violence in schools, the bishop urged Catholics to “Save the young. Do not let them fall into the path of deception, and disloyalty of conscience.” Instead, “We should help young people become good people, who love their neighbours and nation."

This year, the prelate called 350 catechumens to baptism. "You receive this baptism to become heralds of the Good News of the Resurrection of Christ,” he told them.

“It is not always easy to live our faith, but God never abandons us. He gives us the mission to be the light and salt of our communities. We must express and share the love of Jesus with other people by living day to day in the community."

"Love is the bridge that connects each of us to others, but we risk being divided by the insensitivity of our society,” said Fr Joseph Pham Ngoc Khue, assistant pastor in Ninh Binh.

Speaking to his parishioners about the style of evangelisation, he warned, “Insensitivity is transforming the Vietnamese into self-sufficient ghettos”.

In fact, “We are also becoming indifferent to the pain of others,” but “We are Catholics and are encouraged by the love of Jesus to share the pain of others."

"In the Church I found other parents, brothers and sisters,” Paul Nguyen, a catechumen, told AsiaNews. “We share God, and this is the greatest happiness in my life."

• vietnam
• phat
• diem
• easter
• celebrations