Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hanoi (Agenzia Fides) - “Dear brothers and sisters after many years the activities of the archdiocese are limited due to scarce material structures (…) the Archbishop and the Bishops' Conference have made several requests for the restitution of the former Apostolic Delegation building necessary for the Church to engage in a minimum of religious activities (…) I ask you to pray that this place of worship may be respected and the legitimate demands of the archdiocese and the Bishops' Conference may be met”. This was part of an open letter addressed in December to the faithful of the archdiocese of Hanoi by the Archbishop. Joseph Ngo Quiang Kiet.
The Letter gave rise to a vast movement of prayer and peaceful protest in the capital. For several weeks the faithful have been holding peaceful gatherings in front of the former Apostolic Delegation building confiscated by the state under the Communist regime about 50 years ago, and today used for public and private business.
For some years the Church has asked the government to return to building but the situation stalled. News in Hanoi that the building may be pulled down to make way the construction of a bank, alarmed the Catholic community. In his Letter the Archbishop of Hanoi says the pastoral needs of the local Church have grown and the faithful often have to meet in the street because there are no premises available. He recalls that the archdiocesan building also serves as the office of the Bishops' Conference and hosts the activities of various commissions. “We ask for religious activities to be facilitated so they may help to build a better society ”, the Archbishop writes.
Hanoi archdiocese has papers proving that since 1933 it possesses the building which is part of the complex of the Cathedral of St Joseph. Last week the Catholic community presented a fresh petition to the local authorities. Following a 30 December 15 minute meeting between the Archbishop and the prime minister Nguyen Tan Dung there have been timid signs of hope and optimism.
In the meantime thousands continue to gather for prayers in front of the Delegation building. Many other Church owned premises and sites confiscated by the former Communist government are in the same conditions. A similar protest was organised ,again in Hanoi, at the Catholic parish of Thai Ha
run by the Redemptorist Fathers to request the restitution of a piece of Church owned land occupied by various government buildings and private factories. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 9/1/2008 righe 32 parole 320)
