Catholic community contributes greatly to national development

Thursday, October 12, 2023 | 19:33:00

(VOVWORLD) - The 8th National Congress of Vietnamese Catholics to Build and Protect the Fatherland for the 2023-2028 tenure opened in Hanoi on Thursday drawing 400 priests, monks, and parishioners representing Catholics nationwide.

Catholic community contributes greatly to national development - ảnh 1

VFF President Do Van Chien, authorized by the State President, presents Labor Order, Third Class, to two individuals. (Photo: hanoimoi.vn)

The Central Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) has mobilized Catholic followers to implement campaigns and patriotic emulation movements and engage Catholic followers in the movements of building new rural areas.

Many residential areas of Catholic people have become role models in economic development, poverty reduction, and safeguarding of political security and social order and safety.

Phero Nguyen Ngoc Duc, Chairman of Quang Nam province’s Catholic Solidarity Committee, said that they’ve called on parishioners to contribute to and donate land for rural transportation projects, engage in the movement to protect a clean, green living environment, and help poor and sick people.

“Parishes and churches are encouraged to launch support movements to facilitate children of large, disadvantaged families to attend school,” said Phero duc.

Many production and business models of Catholics have proved high economic efficiency thanks to applying scientific and technological advances.

Pham Huy Thong, Chairman of Hanoi’s Catholic Solidarity Committee said: Parishes and craft villages have all vied to increase their income and help the community. In 2000 the highest income reached nearly 21,000 USD a year. This year some Catholic households earn more than 410,000 USD per year."

He added many traditional craft villages such as the peach growing village in Nhat Tan or Bat Trang pottery village have recovered and developed, bringing high income to families and society.

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien insisted that the Vietnamese Party and State are always consistent in respecting and protecting the right to freedom of belief and religion, identifying this as a legitimate need of the people.

He also affirmed the importance of promoting cultural values, good ethics and resources of religions in building and developing the country.

The Congress appointed 148 people to the CSVC Central Committee. Bishop Tran Xuan Manh, president of the CSVC, seventh-tenure, was re-elected President of the CSVC, for the 8th tenure. The Congress adopted a resolution of the 2023-2028 tenure.