Bishop Francis Nguyễn Văn Sang of Thái Bình diocese released a letter to show his solidarity with those who were wounded and detained in Hanoi Friday’s protest, and appeal to the government to be restrained.
Hanoi - In a letter dated 26 January, the prelate stated that he was “so sorrowful” for having to witness how Hanoi Catholics were chased and beaten by security officials just because they wanted to place flowers at a statue of the Virgin Mary inside the building.
He argued that the faithful were provoked into action by this brutality. His point of view is contrasted with that of local authorities of Hoàn Kiếm district who persist that the incident was “carefully planned” by Catholic activists. Fr. John Lê Trọng Cung, the chancellor of Hanoi archdiocese, also rejected the claim.
The prelate went on by expressing “his spiritual closeness to the injured”. He invoked “Our Lord to comfort those who were persecuted for God's name”.
Bishop Francis Nguyễn reiterated his solidarity with Joseph Ngô Quang Kiệt, archbishop of Hanoi, as he and other bishops did on the same day when Hanoi city authorities released a statement accusing the prelate of “using freedom of religion to provoke protests against the government” thus “damaging relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.”
He blamed the government “for ignoring his constructive suggestions to resolve the Church disputes”. Amid rumours that security forces are hunting those who were actively involved in the Friday clash, he asked the government to “calm down and be restrained”, especially when the lunar new year celebration (“Tết”) is coming.
Despite cold rain, strong warnings and many other threatening gestures from security forces, Hanoi Catholics have been holding sit-in protests on the garden of the building. Many said that they wanted to protect the cross erected yesterday. Police repeatedly take pictures of all protesters. But, the demonstrators seem to ignore all these gestures.
 |
| Hanoi Catholics' sit-in protest under cold rain |
 |
| Hanoi Catholics vow to protect the cross |
He argued that the faithful were provoked into action by this brutality. His point of view is contrasted with that of local authorities of Hoàn Kiếm district who persist that the incident was “carefully planned” by Catholic activists. Fr. John Lê Trọng Cung, the chancellor of Hanoi archdiocese, also rejected the claim.
The prelate went on by expressing “his spiritual closeness to the injured”. He invoked “Our Lord to comfort those who were persecuted for God's name”.
Bishop Francis Nguyễn reiterated his solidarity with Joseph Ngô Quang Kiệt, archbishop of Hanoi, as he and other bishops did on the same day when Hanoi city authorities released a statement accusing the prelate of “using freedom of religion to provoke protests against the government” thus “damaging relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.”
He blamed the government “for ignoring his constructive suggestions to resolve the Church disputes”. Amid rumours that security forces are hunting those who were actively involved in the Friday clash, he asked the government to “calm down and be restrained”, especially when the lunar new year celebration (“Tết”) is coming.
Despite cold rain, strong warnings and many other threatening gestures from security forces, Hanoi Catholics have been holding sit-in protests on the garden of the building. Many said that they wanted to protect the cross erected yesterday. Police repeatedly take pictures of all protesters. But, the demonstrators seem to ignore all these gestures.