The Vietnamese Church prepares for new pastoral challenges
Ho Chi Minh City (AsiaNews) - The preparation of the Great Assembly of the People of God, also seen as an opportunity to overcome moments of division among tCatholics in Vietnam, has so far been at the centre of discussions at the XI assembly of the Vietnamese bishops' conference. The heads of 26 dioceses in the country, are meeting in the archdiocese's Pastoral Center, to work on the organization of the Assembly to be held as part of the Jubilee Year of the Church of Vietnam, in Ho Chi Minh City from 22 to 25 November.
The Assembly, according to tradition, is also considering the activities of the past three years, making it possible to talk about issues such as disagreements between some Catholic communities of the north and south and the State, particularly issues related to church property , the resignation in April, of the archbishop of Hanoi, Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, and the attitude taken by Catholics at that time. It must be noted, however, that the presence of the same Archbishop. Kiet, secretary of the Episcopal Conference, is not even indicated.
Bishop of Hue, Etienne Nguyen Nhu The, outlined preparations for the closing celebration of the Jubilee Year for the 350th anniversary of Catholicism in the country and 50 years since the establishment of the national hierarchy, scheduled for January 6, 2011 at the National Marian Shrine La Vang.
The bishops also reflected on conclusions that emerged from the meeting with clergy, held as part of the Year for Priests, that saw a great participation.
The vice president of the Bishops Conference, Msgr. Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, also called attention to what he described as "an unprecedented phenomenon in the history of the Church in Vietnam"; the fact that some sites and groups of Catholic faithful who have publicly criticized the attitudes of some bishops. This relates in particular to the "silence" over "injustices" such as the general acceptance of abortion and other acts against morality or the lack of resistance against the appropriation by the public authorities of Church property.
Finally, the prelates also discussed the problem of the revival of the missionary impulse of the Church undoubtedly present in society, but which over the recent decades has failed to augment its strength. According to 2007 data, there are about 6,087,700 Vietnamese Catholics, accounting for 7.15% of the population. In 1933 they counted for 7.2% and 7.6% in 1939.
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