Amid a whirlwind of distressing events happening in Con Dau, when the threat of becoming homeless seems inevitable, the parishioners were touched deeply when they have been paid a visit by their shepherd, Bishop Joseph Chau Ngoc Tri, along with 3 diocesan priests on Jan 31, 2010.
On Jan. 27, hundreds of both plain-clothes and heavily armed and well-entrenched police equipped with tear gas and electrical prods have been deployed into Con Dau Parish to ensure the demolition of 400 homes of parishioners. The move had rendered the residents bewildered and outraged, some even fled to avoid having to sign on an agreement to vacate their homes and let the government turning the area into an upscale tourist resort.
Ever since the peaceful life of Con Dau residents have been turned upside down by a governmental decision of a total clearance of all homes in the area, there has not been a day the local people could live a normal life. It's not just the fear of not being able to afford living in another location, but also the indignant feeling of being involuntarily kicked out of their long-time dwellings, their farms, and their parish into unknown future to satisfy the hunger for profit of those in power. According to the chairman of parish council Mr. Thai Van Lien, the police were there to threaten and coerce everyone to sign on the consent paper. The parish is making a desperate appeal to the top officials and the Parliament. Their chance of being successful however remains bleak, judging from previous cases.
The presence of Bishop Joseph Chau and the priests to take part in a concelebrating of the Eucharist at Con Dau church on Jan 31 had offered the parishioners so much hope and emotional support from the Christian's fellowship that the congregation erupted in a heartfelt applause when the bishop and his priests entered the church. Many were brought to tears of joy and being overcome by emotion as they were listening to the bishop's homily, in which he encouraged them to be brave and stay calm in the pursuit for justice. He also reminded them to be united and put their total trust into the Lord's hand which will provide them the protection they need and answer their prayers.
On Jan. 27, hundreds of both plain-clothes and heavily armed and well-entrenched police equipped with tear gas and electrical prods have been deployed into Con Dau Parish to ensure the demolition of 400 homes of parishioners. The move had rendered the residents bewildered and outraged, some even fled to avoid having to sign on an agreement to vacate their homes and let the government turning the area into an upscale tourist resort.
Ever since the peaceful life of Con Dau residents have been turned upside down by a governmental decision of a total clearance of all homes in the area, there has not been a day the local people could live a normal life. It's not just the fear of not being able to afford living in another location, but also the indignant feeling of being involuntarily kicked out of their long-time dwellings, their farms, and their parish into unknown future to satisfy the hunger for profit of those in power. According to the chairman of parish council Mr. Thai Van Lien, the police were there to threaten and coerce everyone to sign on the consent paper. The parish is making a desperate appeal to the top officials and the Parliament. Their chance of being successful however remains bleak, judging from previous cases.
The presence of Bishop Joseph Chau and the priests to take part in a concelebrating of the Eucharist at Con Dau church on Jan 31 had offered the parishioners so much hope and emotional support from the Christian's fellowship that the congregation erupted in a heartfelt applause when the bishop and his priests entered the church. Many were brought to tears of joy and being overcome by emotion as they were listening to the bishop's homily, in which he encouraged them to be brave and stay calm in the pursuit for justice. He also reminded them to be united and put their total trust into the Lord's hand which will provide them the protection they need and answer their prayers.