Vinh Diocese’s Announcement Regarding the Con Cuong Incident
Diocesan Office in Xa Doai
Nghi Dien – Nghi Loc – Nghe An
Tel. (0383) 861 171
Xa Doai, July 4, 2012
STATEMENT
Concerning the Con Cuong Incident
Members of the Clergy, Seminarians
and Fellow Catholics,
In recent days, Catholics in the Con Cuong Religious Sub-Unit (Yen Khe Village, Con Cuong District, Nghe An Province) have had to endure the local government’s acts of oppression, discrimination and slandering. The Government has sent personnel to repeatedly threaten, hinder, and terrorize priests and believers. Most recentlyhundreds of government cadres, public security agents, soldiers, and hoodlums disturbed and disrupted the Mass being celebrated by Father Nguyen Dinh Thuc on the occasion of Saint John the Baptist’s Day on June 24, 2012. The events of July 1, 2012 were the high tide and the result of meticulous and careful planning by dark forces.
In view of these developments, the diocesan office’s views are as follows:
- We strongly condemn sacrilegious acts and barbarous assault of the Con Cuong, Yen Khe Government against priests and congregation members.
- Several Con Cuong Catholics were badly wounded, including a number currently in critical condition. All congregation members live in fear of the oppression and attacks by hoodlums, security police and soldiers. Mr. Pham The Tran’s family and other families are constantly threatened with violence and harassment, making their daily life unbearable. Concurrently, the Nghe An provincial government’s media are conducting a smear campaign aimed at falsely accusing priests and congregation members.
- As a gesture of solidarity with Con Cuong Catholics, we urge members of the clergy, seminarians, and all others in our diocese and everywhere else to light candles and pray on Saturday night. In the morning of Sunday July 8, please celebrate Mass with prayers for the victims of violence. Please pray that government leaders will soon recognize the legitimate needs of Con Cuong Catholics and respect their fundamental rights. We also urge all people of good will to raise your voices in support of the victims.
- We ask that priests put up banners in your parishes with the following words: “We protest the Con Cuong government’s sacrilegious acts and use of violence against priests and Catholics”.
May the Lord, our Compassionate Father, bless and protect you in peace.
Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Huong
Chief of Staff, Diocesan Office
