Day of Prayers for Con Cuong in Vinh Diocese – Update
VRNs (15.07.2012)– Nghe An – Update: security police and hoodlums forced their way into the church in Bot Da to harass the congregation
Vinh Diocese announced that at 8:00 am all the churches throughout the diocese will celebrate Mass and churchgoers will pray for Con Cuong Catholics. VRNs in Nghe An provided the following update: 10,000 attended Mass in Van Loc, 20,000 in Bao Nham, and 5,000 in Phu Quy.
Thuan Nghia
Located in Quynh Lam Village, Quynh Luu District, Nghe An (bordering National Highway 1A)
In the early morning, residents from a number of parishes rang bells and congregated towards Thuan Nghia. They carried banners and signs displaying protests against the government’s attacks on the clergy and believers in Con Cuong. Thuan Nghia is in the northern part of Vinh Diocese and has a history of courage and unity in the face of oppression.
In the early morning, Catholics from Con Cuong and Dong Lam joined parishioners from Quan Lang and marched to Lang Dien Parish where local parishioners joined the march. From Lang Dien, the group marched to Yên Linh Parish where others joined up. The group behaved very soberly and observed all the traffic rules.
When the group reached Thuan Nghia, Catholics from other parishes were waiting for them there. The assembled demonstrators raised their banners and signs in protest of the government’s ruthless religious persecution in Con Cuong. Parishioners from various locations had come to support and share the pain of Con Cuong Catholics who were the victims of government violence.
Xa Doai
Mass in Xa Doai concluded at 9:30 a.m. Father Paul Nguyen Thai Hop had begun the Mass with statements protesting the government’s violent attacks on the clergy and believers in Con Cuong.
Bot Da
Mass concluded at 10:00 a.m. It seemed to be warmer than the 39 degrees C displayed by thermometers (typical of Central Vietnam when hot winds blew from Laos). Over 100 banners and signs were raised as parishioners voiced their protests. All the participants felt that they became more strongly bonded to one another as a result of their collective condemnation of a ruthless regime.
During Mass, Father Peter Nguyen Xuan Giao explained that the government had violated Vietnam’s laws and attacked religion. He said: “if the government continues to stoke the fire, it will burn more strongly and could even erase all darkness and evil”. At the conclusion of the Mass, as a witness to what had taken place in Con Cuong, he declared: “after this Mass, many among us will likely be harassed and ordered to meet with government investigators. Since the government displayed contempt for our faith, we will join anyone who may be harassed or ordered to meet with the authorities”.
VRN (15.07.2012) – Today, July 15, Catholics in Vinh Diocese will congregate in their local diocesan units to pray for Con Cuong and for justice and peace for Vietnam.
In the early hours, many people already showed up with signs saying “Religious freedom is a right”, “We protest the government’s destruction of religious statues”, “We demand the right to practice our faith as a free people”…
On July 14, the government sent 3 armored vehicles and infantry units to position themselves at the gate of the diocesan compound in Xa Doai for approximately 30 minutes. Subsequently, the detachment marched past Hung Yen. In spite of the government’s attempt at intimidation, Catholics in the diocese were determined to show support for Con Cuong.
At 5:50 a.m., many from Loc Thuy, Son Trang and Xuan An Parishes were seen riding their motorcycles and bicycles with church banners in display.
From Bot Da: When Dong Lam parishioners set out at 5:30 a.m. to cross a river and join up with Quang Lang parishioners, the government prevented them from boarding the ferry, the first sign of official interference.
From Thuan Nghia: At 6:15a.m., parishioners from Yen Hoa, Loc Thuy, Son Trang, Cam Truong, Manh Son, Thanh Da had assembled in Thuan Nghia. People from other parishes continued to pour into Thuan Nghia carrying signs with words such as “We protest the government’s destruction of religious statues”, “We demand religious freedom”.
