Protests erupt throughout Vietnam and around the world to pray for Hanoi's Archbishop, victims of police violence at Dong Chiem, and also for the Vietnam government.
“If you wish to arrest me, you can do it right now. I am ready to go with you,” said Fr. Joseph Le Quang Uy to hundreds of police, assuring them no resistance from his congregation.
Hundreds of police mingled in the congregation of thousands of Catholics who attended the Vigil Prayer on Sunday night at Saigon Redemptorist Monastery to pray not only for the parishioners and victims of the brutal police attack at Dong Chiem, but also for the Vietnam government.
The Redemptorist priest challenged police in his homily telling them the meaning of the Vigil Prayer, a ceremony that local authorities have publicly threatened with “extreme actions” and "arrest" should the priest ignore their order and go ahead as scheduled.
Only two weeks after the historic visit of Vietnam Chairman Nguyen Minh Triet to Pope Benedict XVI, on Dec. 28, the local government of Ho Chi Minh City opened fire against the metropolitan Redemptorist community accusing them of using the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help as platform to "distort, falsely accuse and criticize the government driving faithful to misunderstand the Party's policies and the nation's laws”.
Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Le Quang Uy, in particular, was singled out in this statement as the main subject for the Committee’s denunciations. He was charged with “taking advantage of his role of leading prayers in Vigils to distort the social, political and economic situation of Vietnam, and denounce the government for human rights violations,” thus “undermines the great national unity bloc,” and “has given a hand to hostile forces, and reactionaries to conduct propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
“Did you hear what our faithful are singing? Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon. Did you hear them praying for any evils against you?” he asked plain-clothes police.
Parishioners were ready for a possible crackdown. However, the Vigil Prayer led by Fr. Joseph Le went smoothly without any incidents.
In order to avoid causing traffic jam, another Candlelight Vigil had been held two hours earlier at the same Redemptorist Monastery. Fr. Vincent Pham Trung Thanh, and the Vietnam Redemptorist Provincial Superior concelebrated the Mass with 30 priests including diocesan priests from nearby parishes.
The Superior denounced the demolition of the religious symbol of the faith of billions of Christians around the world; and the readiness to employ a large army of professional combatants to unleash such brutal violence against women and children, asking more than 2000 Catholics present in the vigil to pray for the end of the overt persecution against the Church and its innocent people.
A message from Fr. Michael Brehl, Superior General of the Redemptorists was read to the congregation. “I have assured Fr. Vincent [the Provincial Superior of Vietnam], all the confreres, and the men and women with whom we work that we are in solidarity with them, especially in our prayers” wrote the world-wide leader of the Redemptorists.
Elsewhere there have been numerous vigil of the same intentions held throughout the country.
Almost simultaneously with Vigils in Saigon was a special Candlelight Vigil at St. Joseph Cathedral Hanoi led by Auxiliary Bishop Lawrence Chu Van Minh, drawing thousands of Catholics. The vigil was also to pray for the safety of their beloved shepherd, Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet since he has been subject to a vicious attempt by the pro-government thugs yelling communist slogans, and demanding his resignation in the past few days.
Protests have also erupts among Vietnamese Catholic Communities around the world who share the same feeling of indignation upon hearing the news about the crucifix being insulted by Hanoi government in Dong Chiem hamlet, and the escalation of police brutal violence against Catholics.
In Sydney, the vigil was held on Jan 20 with thousands gathering at St. Luke church in Revesby.
In the United States, thousands were drawn to a Mass at Orange County Catholic Pastoral Center, California on Jan 23 to pray for Dong Chiem and other religions' victims and to exalt the crucifix. Also, a demonstration has been organized by the Committee for Human and Religious Rights on Jan 24 at Mile Square Park, city of Fountain Valley, California to raise awareness of human rights violations and religious persecutions in Vietnam.
In Germany, the Katholische Monatszeitschrift had collaborated with the Overseas Vietnamese Catholic communities in starting a campaign to exalt the crucifix and to pray for justice and peace in Vietnam.
“If you wish to arrest me, you can do it right now. I am ready to go with you,” said Fr. Joseph Le Quang Uy to hundreds of police, assuring them no resistance from his congregation.
Hundreds of police mingled in the congregation of thousands of Catholics who attended the Vigil Prayer on Sunday night at Saigon Redemptorist Monastery to pray not only for the parishioners and victims of the brutal police attack at Dong Chiem, but also for the Vietnam government.
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| Candlelight Vigil at St.Joseph Cathedral in Hanoi |
Only two weeks after the historic visit of Vietnam Chairman Nguyen Minh Triet to Pope Benedict XVI, on Dec. 28, the local government of Ho Chi Minh City opened fire against the metropolitan Redemptorist community accusing them of using the church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help as platform to "distort, falsely accuse and criticize the government driving faithful to misunderstand the Party's policies and the nation's laws”.
Redemptorist Fr. Joseph Le Quang Uy, in particular, was singled out in this statement as the main subject for the Committee’s denunciations. He was charged with “taking advantage of his role of leading prayers in Vigils to distort the social, political and economic situation of Vietnam, and denounce the government for human rights violations,” thus “undermines the great national unity bloc,” and “has given a hand to hostile forces, and reactionaries to conduct propaganda against the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.”
“Did you hear what our faithful are singing? Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; where there is hatred, let me sow love; where there is injury, pardon. Did you hear them praying for any evils against you?” he asked plain-clothes police.
Parishioners were ready for a possible crackdown. However, the Vigil Prayer led by Fr. Joseph Le went smoothly without any incidents.
In order to avoid causing traffic jam, another Candlelight Vigil had been held two hours earlier at the same Redemptorist Monastery. Fr. Vincent Pham Trung Thanh, and the Vietnam Redemptorist Provincial Superior concelebrated the Mass with 30 priests including diocesan priests from nearby parishes.
The Superior denounced the demolition of the religious symbol of the faith of billions of Christians around the world; and the readiness to employ a large army of professional combatants to unleash such brutal violence against women and children, asking more than 2000 Catholics present in the vigil to pray for the end of the overt persecution against the Church and its innocent people.
A message from Fr. Michael Brehl, Superior General of the Redemptorists was read to the congregation. “I have assured Fr. Vincent [the Provincial Superior of Vietnam], all the confreres, and the men and women with whom we work that we are in solidarity with them, especially in our prayers” wrote the world-wide leader of the Redemptorists.
Elsewhere there have been numerous vigil of the same intentions held throughout the country.
Almost simultaneously with Vigils in Saigon was a special Candlelight Vigil at St. Joseph Cathedral Hanoi led by Auxiliary Bishop Lawrence Chu Van Minh, drawing thousands of Catholics. The vigil was also to pray for the safety of their beloved shepherd, Archbishop Ngo Quang Kiet since he has been subject to a vicious attempt by the pro-government thugs yelling communist slogans, and demanding his resignation in the past few days.
Protests have also erupts among Vietnamese Catholic Communities around the world who share the same feeling of indignation upon hearing the news about the crucifix being insulted by Hanoi government in Dong Chiem hamlet, and the escalation of police brutal violence against Catholics.
In Sydney, the vigil was held on Jan 20 with thousands gathering at St. Luke church in Revesby.
In the United States, thousands were drawn to a Mass at Orange County Catholic Pastoral Center, California on Jan 23 to pray for Dong Chiem and other religions' victims and to exalt the crucifix. Also, a demonstration has been organized by the Committee for Human and Religious Rights on Jan 24 at Mile Square Park, city of Fountain Valley, California to raise awareness of human rights violations and religious persecutions in Vietnam.
In Germany, the Katholische Monatszeitschrift had collaborated with the Overseas Vietnamese Catholic communities in starting a campaign to exalt the crucifix and to pray for justice and peace in Vietnam.