Hanoi (Fides Service) - For the first time in forty years Catholics in Van Chan, mostly Hmong people, in Yen Bai Province some 270 km north west of Hanoi were able to celebrate the liturgies of Holy Week and Easter in their own local church. The services were presided by Father Michael Le Van Hong.
There had been no resident priest since 1963 when the local authorities arrested the priest and put him in prison. Recently the central government gave permission for a few priests to visit the region for pastoral activity two or three times a year. However now Vinh Quang parish has its own priest, Father Michael Le Van Hong, who will reside in Yen Bai city and tend to four parishes including Vinh Quang.
Easter 2003 was truly a celebration here among the local Catholics. In the past Therese, a Hmong Catholic, had to travel about 100 km to attend Easter liturgies; she said overjoyed: "It is wonderful to have Jesus and the Sacraments so near to my home".
More than 400 families took part in the Easter celebrations, families who for forty years had lived their faith in isolation, gathering for prayers on Sundays at the main seasons of the liturgical year. Praising their perseverance and courage Father Hong told UCA News that he is deeply moved by their faith: "I spent hours hearing confessions, while the people waited patiently for their turn. I am deeply moved to see their longing to be near God".
Father Hong, one of seven priests ordained last year in Hung Hoa diocese, has been given the spiritual responsibility of about 8,500 Catholics in the four parishes. Hung Hoa diocese is the largest with regard to territory 54,351 sq. km., with a population of about 146,000, of whom some 200,000 are Catholics. There are 24 priests and 40 parishes 16 without a resident priest. PA (Fides Service 25/4/2003 EM lines 29 Words: 383)