Đà Nẵng diocese focusing on the lay apostolate and mission

In 1988, a "disabled people for disable people’ group was set up to promote outreach based on the Good News to encourage self-help and share life with others so that they can be integrated into the community.

Hanoi (AsiaNews) – Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, the Vatican non-resident representative to Vietnam, made a pastoral visit to the Diocese of Đà Nẵng (pictured), in central Vietnam, where he met various diocesan officials and members.

In the history of the Vietnamese Catholic Church, the diocese stood as the cradle of the mission in ‘Đặng Trong’ (southern Vietnam) for over 400 years, a land soaked with the blood of the murdered Blessed Andrew of Phú Yên (Anrê Phú Yên), one of the first witnesses of the faith in Vietnam. Today, the apostolate to the laity and the mission are core aspects of diocesan life.

"The diocese is facing a number of challenges,” Mgr Girelli said. “For this reason, we need first of all communion among the clergy and between the bishop and priests. Communion is necessary for our faith and our missionary work. In addition, laity training is a priority, as is pastoral care of children, the poor, and youth in trouble."

Despite all this, "I am confident that our diocesan community will find new energy and strength to pursue evangelisation,” the prelate said. “Our parishes continue to celebrate the Eucharistic adoration. This is a source of strength. We are open to everyone. Our faith and charity contribute to the stability of the region and of our diocese."

John XXIII established the Diocese of Đà Nẵng on 18 January 1963. The diocese itself covers the city of Đà Nẵng and the province of Quang Nam, and has about 70,000 members or 2.8 per cent out of a population of some 2.5 million people, divided in more than 50 parishes with about 105 priests, 233 nuns and more than 735 catechists. Each parish is directly involved in evangelisation, and every year, some 1,600 baptisms tale place.

The lay apostolate is centred on various activities, including outreach to people living with disabilities. In 1988, Maria Thanh, Joseph Vinh, and John Thạch met at Gia Phước parish church to help each other spiritually under the supervision of the late Fr Joseph Vũ Văn Trực. They were the first three members of the apostolic outreach group for people with disabilities.

At present, more than 10,390 disabled people live in Đà Nẵng. Of these, only 3,752 or 30.11 per cent have a stable job. Those who are unemployed are either sick or unfit for work. Most of their families live in dire straits, and thus it is up to the wider community and society to provide care and support.

Fr Marcello Đoàn Minh, Caritas director in Đà Nang, has taken on some of the expenses, but has also made it possible for all the members of the group to meet once year. He has also organised courses on various relevant topics in order to help the disabled lead an honest life based on dignity, love and culture.

In today’s society, people living with disabilities are often neglected; few people show much interest in their fate. In view of this, disabled people often feel guilty, and have little confidence in life.

To remedy this, the outreach group was created in 1988, aptly named ‘Disabled people for disable people’. Open to both Catholics and non-Catholics, it encourages self-help inspired by the Good News, and sharing life experiences with others to promote their integration into the community.

Each year, 17 to 20 of those who take part in its activities decide to be baptised. "Now I am Catholic,” Mr Trường told AsiaNews. “I follow the faith because I love the Church and what is good."

So far, hundreds of young people have taken part in the group's activities. They can now more easily fit into the community and society. In some cases, they have been able to organise by themselves other social clubs to help other disabled people.

• vietnam
• đà nẵng
• girelli
• evangelisation
• disabled
• social integration