Prominent British Catholic Lord Alton has called on Vietnam’s government to get to grips with hardline local officials to stop a “definite deterioration” in religious freedom as news emerged of more protesters beaten by police and democratic campaigners jailed.
Despite a recent improvement in relations between the Vatican and the Vietnamese government, Lord Alton said, recent events such as the forcible removal of a hilltop cross in Dong Chiem parish and the seizure of church properties could endanger the country’s standing in the eyes of the world, UCA News reports.
“There has been a definite deterioration recently,” he told UCA News on Jan 20.
“The problem may be - as it is in China - that a powerful local politician can set the agenda, ignoring the official government line,” Alton told UCA News.
“We shouldn’t assume that what happens is government policy. But if the government wants to be well regarded around the world, it has to take action.”
Sources in Rome, who requested anonymity, suggested that the latest increase in tension had come as a surprise to both the Vatican and to the upper echelons of the government.
Meanwhile, in a strong-worded statement dated Jan. 20, Hanoi Archdiocese condemned the escalating violence and reported that a group of priests and religious, on their way to visit Dong Chiem parish, had been attacked
“The most severe cases involved Mr. J.B. Nguyen Huu Vinh who was knocked out of conciousness at a police check point in Dong Chiem on Jan 11, and most rescently Bro. Nguyen Van Tang, a monk from the Redemptorist monastery was also beaten until losing conciousness on Jan 20 when on his way to visit Dong Chiem”.
“The lay man was slightly injured, but Br Anthony Nguyen suffered serious blow to the head, lips and eyes,” added Fr Peter Nguyen.
Fr Nguyen noted that locals recognized attackers as “policemen from inner city of Hanoi”.
In another story, UCA News reported that Catholic lawyer, Paul Le Cong Dinh, who was accused of trying to overthrow the government, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Three other dissidents charged with similar offences were also sentenced to jail terms and house arrest on Jan. 20 by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City.
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| Redemptorist Br. Anthony Nguyen Van Tang after being attacked |
“There has been a definite deterioration recently,” he told UCA News on Jan 20.
“The problem may be - as it is in China - that a powerful local politician can set the agenda, ignoring the official government line,” Alton told UCA News.
“We shouldn’t assume that what happens is government policy. But if the government wants to be well regarded around the world, it has to take action.”
Sources in Rome, who requested anonymity, suggested that the latest increase in tension had come as a surprise to both the Vatican and to the upper echelons of the government.
Meanwhile, in a strong-worded statement dated Jan. 20, Hanoi Archdiocese condemned the escalating violence and reported that a group of priests and religious, on their way to visit Dong Chiem parish, had been attacked
“The most severe cases involved Mr. J.B. Nguyen Huu Vinh who was knocked out of conciousness at a police check point in Dong Chiem on Jan 11, and most rescently Bro. Nguyen Van Tang, a monk from the Redemptorist monastery was also beaten until losing conciousness on Jan 20 when on his way to visit Dong Chiem”.
“The lay man was slightly injured, but Br Anthony Nguyen suffered serious blow to the head, lips and eyes,” added Fr Peter Nguyen.
Fr Nguyen noted that locals recognized attackers as “policemen from inner city of Hanoi”.
In another story, UCA News reported that Catholic lawyer, Paul Le Cong Dinh, who was accused of trying to overthrow the government, has been sentenced to five years’ imprisonment.
Three other dissidents charged with similar offences were also sentenced to jail terms and house arrest on Jan. 20 by the People’s Court in Ho Chi Minh City.