by J.B. An Dang

Thousands of Catholics have come to the defence of their pastor and church. In January, Kon Tum Provincial authorities ordered the latter's demolition. The faithful have experienced threats and attacks when they try to visit the place of worship. Rumours about the construction of a new shrine further south, to welcome the pope in the future, are an attempt to boost real estate prices for speculative purposes.

Kon Tum (AsiaNews) - Fear still prevails among Catholics who attend a makeshift church in Dak Jak, Kon Tum, in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. For several weeks, provincial authorities have been trying to get rid of the structure and expel the local priest.

On 7 January, the local government issued orders to expel Fr Dominic Tran Van Vu, and tear down the church built by the faithful through hard work and sacrifice.

The building itself dates back to 1965, at the time of the Vietnam War. It was built with salvaged materials since locals were very poor, and survived over the years despite the harsh persecution of Communist authorities.

In recent weeks, thousands of Catholics (at least 6,000 according to local sources) staged demonstrations and protests to defend their church (pictured) as well as their right to religious freedom.

In view of such opposition, the authorities have suspended the demolition and police relented their crackdown. However, the faithful still fear a new attack that could lead to the demolition of their church.

Since the affair began, various incidents have involved local Catholics, including abductions, assaults, as well as threats against those who visit the church to pray or attend Mass.

The bishop of Kon Tum, Mgr Michael Hoang Duc Oanh, noted that the diocese has repeatedly sought permission to build a permanent place of worship, to accommodate thousands of faithful, but never got an answer.

Meanwhile, further south, in the diocese of Xuan Loc, the authorities have agreed to build a new Marian shrine, in addition to that in La Vang, Quang Tri.

According to the Vietnamese government, the site would welcome the Pope and the faithful when the pontiff undertakes an apostolic visit in the near future.

However, there are no plans for a papal trip and China "would not allow it," a Church source said. "Such rumours help instead drive up local real estate prices."

Vietnam's 87 million people include 48 per cent Buddhists, more than 7 per cent Catholics, 5.6 per cent syncretistic and 20 per cent atheist.

As a small, albeit significant minority, the Christian community is particularly active in education, health and social affairs.

Conversely, religious freedom has steadily eroded in recent years. Under Decree 92, more controls and restrictions have been imposed on religious practice, boosting the power of the Communist Party and the one-party state.

The authorities have targeted religious leaders, including Buddhist and Catholic leaders, as well as entire communities.

In 2013, media and government carried out a smear campaign and targeted attacks against the bishop and ordinary Catholics in the Diocese of Vinh.

More generally, government repression tends to touch everyone who defends civil rights and the right to religious freedom.

• vietnam
• ton
• kum
• religious
• discrimination