Vietnamese bishops to the faithful : Be witnesses of Christ and defenders of human life
Ho Chi Minh City
(AsiaNews ) - In the final letter at the conclusion of the annual meeting of
the Vietnamese bishops' conference , scheduled for the last week in Saigon, the
prelates invited faithful to " strengthen the faith , relying on the
message of the Gospel and be heralds of the Word of God.
" In
particular , the bishops of the 26 dioceses in the country - meeting at the
pastoral center of Ho Chi Minh City - ask the Catholic community to pay more
attention to the renewal of family life and ethical issues such as abortion ,
marriage and culture of life. In
a period marked by difficulties and attacks against community , diocese
(see the campaign that struck the Vinh
diocese and its bishop) and individual
activists , church leaders stress the role of the Christian presence in
Vietnam and the contribution to economic, social and human development of the
nation.
The
bishops have expressed joy for "the spiritual fruits in parishes ,
communities, dioceses and congregations " that emerged in this Year of
Faith , announced by Pope emeritus Benedict XVI and that is about to conclude .
At
the same time , the bishops also warn " of the difficulties and challenges
" encountered in "understanding the faith " and the path to
follow to be true " Lord's disciples and witnesses of the Gospel,"
with the goal of "building a civilization of love
and a culture of life. "
In
the last three years (2010/2013) the Church in Vietnam has focused attention on
teaching and the practical application "of the Christian mystery,
communion and mission ". The
goal now moves to the "New Evangelization " for the testimony of
faith, as emerged from the work of the Synod of Bishops of 2012.
This
relies on " all Christians" to be proclaimers of the Word of God, a
task that also touches on the Vietnamese , starting from their families as the
first and privileged core of life and witness of faith. The
bishops look with particular attention to those who have gone through times of
family crisis : the separated and divorced and remarried, those who have
experienced " the scourge of abortion." These
people are called to renew their relationship with Christ and his Church.
One
of the first concrete steps to be taken, the Vietnamese prelates suggest to the
individual dioceses to "pay more attention to the formation of clergy,
religious, lay people are called to pastoral ministry " and especially
those engaged "in the pastoral care of families ." Finally
, the Episcopal Conference launches an appeal to writers , artists and
Catholics involved in the world of communication and media , because "
through their talents "they can enhance " the beauty of marriage and
family life ."
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