by Nguyen Hung

Set up in 2003, the 'Catholic Entrepreneur Family' marks its tenth anniversary with a series of events, including a special Mass celebrated by the archbishop. Card Phan Minh Manh calls on everyone to boost unity and cooperation, as well as share knowledge with the younger generation. The president of the association of Catholics entrepreneurs calls for evangelisation at home and inside companies.

Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - Catholic entrepreneurs "have put a lot of efforts in building a culture of life" and a "civilisation of love" in the family, "inside their enterprise," and in all the places in which "they operate," said Card Jean Baptiste Pham Minh Manh, archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City, as the 'Catholic Entrepreneurs Family' of Saigon marks ten years of existence (2003-2013). With some 200 members at present, the association is united by a spirit of charity, job sharing, and love for the example set by the Holy Family of Nazareth. Over the years, they played an equal role in boosting a "culture of life" against abortion and other forms of obliteration of the individual not only in the home, but also in the workplace.

On 6 May, Card Pham Minh Manh and Mgr Peter Nguyen Van Kham, auxiliary bishop of Saigon, along with priests, monks, more than 200 entrepreneurs and nearly 500 people took part in the celebrations for the tenth anniversary of the association, held at Ho Chi Minh City's Opera House.

In the days leading up to the event, they met for a prayer session, whilst on 10 May the pastoral centre was the scene of a solemn Mass of thanksgiving celebrated by Card Pham Minh Manh.

The high "ethical and social" value of their activity, which is not exclusively focused on personal profit, is reflected in the network of contacts, professional exchanges and collaborations that Catholic entrepreneurs have been able to develop in support of their activities. Even the cardinal recognises such efforts, acknowledging that they brought "acts of love" to the production process and business management.

The archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City also noted that the volume of activities Catholic entrepreneurs generate at home and abroad have brought "investment and employment" to the country.

But more than that, the prelate acknowledged the "shared effort made in the past ten years," calling on everyone to be more "united" and share business and work experiences with Catholic and non-Catholic students so that their know-how and knowledge can be passed on to future generations.

"We do not invest money and do not turn to young people to advertise ourselves," a Catholic entrepreneur told AsiaNews. The goal is to "educate and help young people" who, despite their poverty, have great potential, a philosophy reiterated by Francis Xavier Nguyen Thai, president of the Catholic Entrepreneurs Family in Saigon.

For him, the principles of sharing and cooperation, with the Church as a point of reference, are essential "to overcome difficulties" even today, a time characterised by crisis and widespread selfishness. For this reason, "We shall continue to evangelise through work," he explained, "both in the family and in our companies."

• vietnam
• catholics
• development
• economy
• entrepreneurs
• pastoral
• charity