Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – On the occasion of the Ad Limina Apostolorum Visit of the Bishops of Vietnam, 22 June, Fides will publish information on the life of the local Catholic Church, other religions present, the economy and society.
Info 1: the situation of the Catholic Church in Vietnam.
At the level of statistics the Church in Vietnam offers an encouraging picture: Catholics in 2002 5,314,628, today 6,150, 726, with an increase of 15.73%. Catholics represent 6.79% of the population.
Diocesan priests: 2,877 (2,133 in 2002), with an increase of 34.88%. Women religious 13,675 (9,654 in 2002), increase of 41.65%; major seminarians 2,186 (1,580 in 2002), with an increase of 38.36%.
As it is known the Catholic Church in Vietnam has lived through tragic events. After the Communist Regime came to power about 500 priests left the country, hundreds more were detained in prison. Catholic schools, hospitals, charitable institutes and social works were confiscated. All major and minor seminaries were closed to reopen only years later, with the number of candidates restricted by the government. Government authorities also restricted and controlled religious activities.
However today there is a general improvement in the situation.
The government established the Catholic Patriotic Association, in order to create a patriotic Church as in mainland China. Although the goal was not reached completely, the Association caused no few difficulties for the local Catholic Church.
Until 1980 the Bishops' Conference was not allowed to assemble. After that, before every assembly, the Bishops had to ask permission from the government which checked the agenda and the Bishops' Pastoral Letters. Today this permission is not longer necessary. In recent decades the government has changed its attitude towards the Catholic Church, acknowledging its utility for the good of the country.
Although in recent years priests and religious enjoy more freedom of movement in their respective dioceses, the government still controls the activity of Church personnel and expresses its approval for the appointment of Bishops.
Bishops
The Vietnamese hierarchy of 32 members comprises: one Cardinal Metropolitan Archbishop, 2 Metropolitan Archbishops, 22 residential Bishops, 2 Coadjutors, 5 Auxiliaries, and 13 Bishops emeritus.
Between 2003 and 2009 after talks between the Holy See and the government 13 new bishops were been appointed. The Bishops are all loyal to the Pope and the Holy See. Contact with the Holy See as a Bishops' Conference and as individual Bishops is not frequent. Before every meeting of the Bishops' Conference, representatives of the civil authorities (Office for Religious Affairs) come to greet the bishops. After the meeting the Bishops pay a return courtesy visit.
The Bishops' Conference has 15 Commissions: Doctrine of the Faith, Sacred Scripture, Liturgy, Sacred Art, Music, Evangelisation, Clergy and Seminaries, Religious men and women, Laity, Pastoral Care for Family, Youth, Migrants, Social and Charity work, Culture, Social Communications.
Elections for the present charges in the Bishops' Conference were held during the 10th Annual Assembly (8-12 October 2007), for a three year mandate (2007-2010) as follows:
President of the Bishops' Conference: Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, of Dalat;
Vice-President: Bishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh, of Thanh Hoa.
Secretary General: Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, of Hanoi.
Priests
The country has 3,503 priests (2,877 diocesan, 626 religious), zealous and committed to pastoral care of the baptised faithful. A good number of Vietnamese priests are completing studies in Rome. In the academic years 2008-2009, about 60 Vietnamese priests, diocesan and religious, studied at various Pontifical Universities in Rome. The same number of priests is studying in France with scholarships offered by the Paris Foreign Mission Society (MEP).
Men and women Religious
The country has: 626 religious priests; 1,688 Brothers, ( 1,175 in Ho Chi Minh City and 247 in the diocese of Xuan Loc); 13,675 women religious deeply appreciated for discreet but highly efficient service in various fields: caring for disabled persons, the sick in hospitals, patients at leprosy centres, children in orphanages, offering splendid Christian witness. Many assist the priests with pastoral work and teach catechism. Vietnamese religious have a great desire to learn more about the Word of God: courses of theological studies and refresher courses are organised for them. Some years ago Ho Chi Minh City began holding an annual seminary for religious. Today about sixty Vietnamese women religious members of different congregations are completing studies in Rome.
Seminarians
The country has 6 Inter diocesan Major Seminaries, with a total 2,186 seminarians (1,580 in 2002). All the dioceses offer propaedeutic seminars to prepare university students for entry into Major Seminary. These are called “pre-seminarian”.
The major seminaries are situated in: Ho chi minh city, Can Tho, Nha Trang, Vinh Thanh, Hanoi. The Seminary of Nha Trang is affiliated with the Pontifical Urban University in Rome.
A second section of Ho Chi Minh City Seminary was opened two years ago at Xuan Loc to serve 4 dioceses: Xuan Loc, Bà Ria, Phan Thiet, Dalat. The diocese of Bui Chu plans to open a new Inter diocesan Seminary to serve the dioceses of Bac Ninh, Thai Binh, Hai Phong and Bui Chu. Some young priests formed in Rome and in France have already returned to their respective diocese to teach in the local Seminary.
Vocations are numerous. Former government restrictions on the number of students accepted, have been lifted. Formation staff is needed in seminaries in Vinh Thanh and in Hanoi.
Lay Catholics
Lay Catholics number 6,150,726, and Mass attendance is high (80-90%). Foreign visitors are moved to see numerous and fervent participation of the faithful at Mass on Sundays and week days. Everywhere the faithful show deep love for the Word of God and the study of the Catechism. They are ready to contribute with every effort and ability to the development of the Church and the nation. Each diocese and parish has its own lay apostolate groups.
ad limina visits
Following the reunification of the country in 1975, in December 1980. the Catholic Bishops of Vietnam were able to make a first ad limina visit to Rome. In 1990 there was a second visita ad limina, thanks to a visit to Vietnam by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray (1989) which launched a new season of dialogue between the Catholic Church and the Vietnamese government. Further ad limina visits took place in 1996 and in 2002. (1 – segue)
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 23/06/2009; righe 94 parole 1.091)
