The meeting is held for the first time in Than Hoa diocese, which celebrates 80 years since its founding. The representative of the Holy See is present at the meeting. Bishops are set to discuss the upcoming meeting of Asian bishops in Saigon, the creation of a theology institute and La Vang pilgrimage shrine.

Hanoi (AsiaNews/EdA) - The second annual meeting of the Vietnam Bishops' Council focused on the initiatives taken for the Year of Faith, the reflections about the Second Vatican Council after 50 years, and the upcoming assembly of Asian bishops. For the first time, the council is meeting in Than Hoa diocese, which celebrates 80 years tomorrow since it was created. Prelates from 24 dioceses and Mgr Leopoldo Girelli, non-permanent representative of the Holy See, opened the proceedings on Monday, giving thanks to the Most Holy Sacrament, followed by a preliminary meeting to define the topics of the assembly.

Mgr Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, bishop of Than Hoa and vice president of the Bishops' Council, welcomed his fellow prelates in the diocese's recently renovated See together with local priests, nuns and lay associations. The diocese is located some 200 kilometres south of Vietnam's capital. All the bishops are expected to join tomorrow's celebrations marking the diocese's 80 years.

In opening the proceedings, Mgr Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, president of the council, reminded those present of the changes that have occurred in the past year. He also mentioned the archbishop of Hue, the bishop of Quy Nhon and the bishop of Phu Cuong, thanking them for their work. All three have tendered their resignation because of age, which the pope has accepted.

Mgr Cosme Hoang Van Dat, secretary general of the Bishops' Council, described the main topics of this year's second assembly. They include initiatives in connection with the Year of Faith, reflections and studies on how the country and Vietnamese Catholics have heeded the directives issued by the Second Vatican Council, which marks 50 years since it opened; and finally, preparation for the upcoming assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) in Ho Chi Minh City (ex Saigon) and Xuan Loc.

Other issues open for discussion are the creation of a theology institute, the construction of a pilgrims' centre at the Marian shrine of La Vang, and new appointments to the Council.

Mgr Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh has been bishop of Than Hoa since 2004. When it was founded, the diocese had 40,000 members out of a total population of 1.5 million residents with 16 missionaries and 48 local priests, plus 82 catechists. Today, Catholics are around 130,000, three times their original number, served by 80 Vietnamese priests deployed across the diocesan territory.

 

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