Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hanoi (Agenzia Fides) – Religious and laity are missing or arrested. It is a congregation of faithful that is disoriented and grieving. The Redemptorists are accused of being “instigators of riots.” The Church in Vietnam is still reflecting and praying after the recent episodes of violence that have taken place at the parish of Dong Chiem, in the Archdiocese of Hanoi (see Fides 23/01/2010), while other problems have arisen in the Diocese of Danang. To learn more about the delicate situation, Agenzia Fides asked Vietnam Redemptorist Provincial Superior, Fr. Vincent Pham Trung Thanh.
Fr. Vincent, would you like to tell us about the situation of Bro. Anthony Nguyen Van Tang, who was beaten by police?
Fr. Vincent Pham: I would like to express our sincere thanks to all those who have shared our pain and suffering, those who have been in communion with us throughout many events and tragedies, especially during the latest incidents at Dong Chiem. Bro. Anthony Nguyen has returned home at Thai Ha Monastery, getting better; and his injuries start showing signs of recovery. However, he still suffers from bouts of dizziness, headaches, fatigue...He would like to thank everyone for their support and solidarity.
After the brutal attack, did you have any contact with authorities? To your knowledge, did they make any effort to investigate the incident in order to bring the culprits to justice?
Fr. Vincent Pham: No. No one from the government made any contact with me in this regard. To my knowledge, no investigation is on the way, and of course, no apology or compensation has been made. On the contrary, the New Hanoi newspaper has even accused our brothers of “instigating of riots”. We are not surprised at the move. In previous incidents (at the Hanoi nunciature, Thai Ha, Loan Ly, and other houses), the government has always formed a pseudo group of thugs, referred to by state media as an “organization of spontaneous mass action”. It’s very aggressive, well organized, and works under the police’s protection. These mobs sometimes cause deadly injuries to their victims. Everything is carried out in complete impunity. I am afraid that, with such means, they hope to create excuses to blame the Archbishop of Hanoi and ourselves, the Redemptorists.
Is there any hope for an improvement in the Church-State relation?
Fr. Vincent Pham: I still have a great hope. We ask that the government respect principles of social justice and human rights. We believe in the Truth, in the power of prayers and ivine Providence Peace We believe in communion and peace among human beings and all peoples. We believe in Jesus Christ, the Lord of History, who has a providential control over all of history. (Agenzia Fides 30/1/2010)
