On July 1, a large contingent of policemen, armed soldiers and plain-clothed “thugs” physically attacked Catholics in Con Cuong District, Vinh Diocese, as they gathered at their chapel for Sunday mass. Many attending Catholics were injured as a result. One of them, Ms. Ngo Thi Thanh, suffered cracks in the cranium.
At one point, the police and thugs entered the worship area and smashed the statue of the Virgin Mary.
At the same time, “thugs” physically assaulted Rev. Nguyen Dinh Thuc, a Catholic priest, to block him from delivering the service.
Despite the violent interference by the local authorities, the Catholics and their priest managed to conduct Sunday mass in the end.
This incident was the latest in consistent pattern of government interference and police brutality. The week before, the government had mobilized some 250 individuals to break up Sunday mass, while the traffic police stopped Catholics from convening.
On June 3, thugs led by Mr. Tran Van Phuc, Chairman of the Fatherland Front at Con Cuong, intruded the service, disconnecting the PA system and causing disturbance when the priest was conducting the prayer service.
On November 30 of last year, thugs threw pipe bombs, causing damages to the chapel.
