Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hoa Binh (Fides Service) - A small Catholic parish in the region of Hoa Binh in northern Vietnam 75km east of Hanoi recently celebrated its 75th anniversary. For the important occasion a solemn mass was concelebrated by 20 local priests in the presence of a large gathering and the atmosphere of tangible joy and enthusiasm was all the keener because it is only in the last three years that Catholics here have been able to worship and practice the faith in public.
The first church was destroyed in 1947 during in the war between French and Communist troops. This left the Catholic community without a place of worship and for years prayers were said in homes and without a priest. The parish has about 3,000 faithful and 2 catechists In 2002 Hoa Binh regional government granted the Catholic community permission to build a church in which to pray and celebrate the sacraments. Before that Catholics in the area had to travel long distances to the nearest church for mass on Sundays.
After being completely isolated up to 1975, in recent years Catholics in north Korea have been rediscovering the treasures of the faith and with the help of local bishops, priests and active laity introduced to the spirit of Vatican II. Although still under the control of the local authorities, Catholics hope gradually to resume normal pastoral activities, liturgical celebrations, catechism classes and works of charity.
The head of the parish pastoral council 70 year old layman Pierre Nguyen Van Thuan said “now we are free to practice our faith openly”. But he remembers the times when they had to meet in homes to pray and travel as far as 100 km away to attend Mass and receive the sacraments at Christmas and Easter. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2005 righe 21 parole 232)
