by Nguyen Hung

The congregation, present in Vietnam since 1921, has welcomed its new superior, who will be in office from 2015 to 2019. Fr Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Bich told AsiaNews that his focus will be on children, seniors and war veterans. The social ministry will reflect the Gospel message. Can Gio Parish welcomes its new pastor.

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) – Fr Joseph Nguyen Ngoc Bich was recently appointed Superior General of the Redemptorists in Vietnam. In his new, five-year posting (2015-2019) , he will be moved by the social Gospel to heed the needs of the poorest of the poor, those in need, the people marginalised in the world, as Pope Francis urged so many times, so that the Good News can reach everyone.

In the inaugural Mass, his confrere, Father Dominique, called on his fellow Redemptorists to "follow the path laid out by Jesus" because "there is no other way" to "proclaim the Gospel and evangelise Vietnam".

In accepting his new responsibilities, Fr Joseph noted that "the Vietnamese Redemptorists will continue their charity and social work on behalf of the poor."

This task will include providing "free medical examinations for children, seniors and veterans of the Republic of (South) Vietnam,” who have been relegated to the margins of society by Vietnam’s Communist leaders.

For Father Joseph, the Bible will inform the social ministry and be a beacon to act "with humanity and discretion."

"In doing good, we must work with all Redemptorists, the Church and other messengers of love for all,” said the priest.

Recently, a Redemptorist priest, Fr Joseph Hồ Đắc Tâm, was placed in charge of Can Gio, a parish some 50 km south of Ho Chi Minh City, known during the Vietnam War as a “land of revolution”.

The new parish priest’s tasks will include renewing the faith, following in the footsteps of Fr Chan Tin, who spent several years in a Communist jail for refusing to deny his mission.

Since their arrival in Vietnam in 1921, the Redemptorists have always been active in proclaiming the Gospel whilst pursuing their social ministry on behalf of the poor and marginalised.

At the same time, they have had to endure attacks and the limitations imposed on their work by Vietnamese authorities.

Mr H is one of the volunteers who helps the Redemptorists in Saigon. He noted that the congregation is inspired in its work by Pope Francis’ words.

"We have responded to the call to mission,” he said. “We bring the Good News to everyone. We are committed to helping others.”

• vietnam
• redemptorists
• new
• superior
• can
• gio
• parish