May. 21, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A new dispute over ownership of Church property has arisen in Vietnam.
Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tan of the Vinh Long diocese, southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), has denounced the local government for planning to build a hotel on ground that was, the bishop says, illegally seized from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1977. In a letter to the faithful of his diocese, Bishop Nguyen Van Tan recalls that he was among the Catholics arrested in September 1977 when the government forcibly took over the site, where a seminary and monastery had been located. Since that time the government has used the property for several different purposes.
This year officials announced plans for the construction of a hotel on the disputed grounds. Some Sisters of Vincent de Paul have staged protests at the site, and priests have joined their demonstrations. The bishop noted that the government had threatened "strong actions" against anyone who interfered with the hotel project. But he urged the faithful not to allow the construction project.
Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tan of the Vinh Long diocese, southwest of Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon), has denounced the local government for planning to build a hotel on ground that was, the bishop says, illegally seized from the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in 1977. In a letter to the faithful of his diocese, Bishop Nguyen Van Tan recalls that he was among the Catholics arrested in September 1977 when the government forcibly took over the site, where a seminary and monastery had been located. Since that time the government has used the property for several different purposes.
This year officials announced plans for the construction of a hotel on the disputed grounds. Some Sisters of Vincent de Paul have staged protests at the site, and priests have joined their demonstrations. The bishop noted that the government had threatened "strong actions" against anyone who interfered with the hotel project. But he urged the faithful not to allow the construction project.