(VOVworld) – More than 5 million Vietnamese Catholic followers are celebrating Christmas, the most important celebration of the year. The Catholic community has enlightened the gospel in the society with incentive policies from the administration.
St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi celebrates Christmas 2013
(photo: baocongthuong.com.vn) |
Vietnam has around 5.7 million Catholic followers including 3,100 bishops, 14,400 clerics, 1,250 seminarians, and 53,800 catechists. Catholicism was introduced to Vietnam in the 16 century. Vietnam has the third largest number of Catholics in Southeast Asia.
Merry Christmas along side with the nation
Over 200 Catholic followers in Hanoi, Hung Hoa, and Bac Ninh dioceses are jubilantly celebrating Christmas. Local authorities in collaboration with the Vietnam Committee for Catholic Solidarity have assisted Catholic followers in their Christmas celebration. Pham Huy Thong, Vice Chairman of Hanoi’s Committee for Catholic Solidarity, says: “This year, priests have come to Catholic communities to chair rituals at Christmas. The leaders of cities and provinces have visited and congratulated central dioceses on this occasion. Hanoi’s Catholics are happy because the Hanoi diocese was conferred a state Order by the President while the 6th Vietnam Catholic Congress was successfully organized.”
The Catholic Church in Buon Ma Thuot city, Dac Lac province, has been beautifully decorated with colored lights, a crèche with objects representing the scene of the birth of Jesus, a Christmas tree, and a snowman. A large stage has been built for a performance to serve over 220,000 Catholic followers in the province. Vu Trung Thien, Vice Chairman of the Quang Nhieu parish Committee, says: “Parishioners are eagerly preparing physically and spiritually for Christmas. We are joyful to welcome a Christmas season under Jesus Christ’s Holiness.”
Charitable Christmas
Catholics in Ho Chi Minh city have celebrated Christmas with various charitable activities including donating blood, and assisting poor people, people with disabilities, sick people in remote and isolated areas, and disadvantaged students.
In Go Vap district, parishes have offered free medical checkups and medicines and presented gifts to 2,000 people. In Thu Duc district, parishioners donated nearly 50,000 USD to support poor children. Tran Van Dinh in Nhan Hoa parish, Tan Phu district, says: "At Christmas, people are cheerful. The haves help the have-nots. We help each other depending on our condition and generosity. The priest has encouraged people to make donations to prepare gifts for 360 people."
Living the gospel in a secular society
In the spirit of living the gospel in a secular society, Catholic people across Vietnam have gotten involved in national movements and charitable activities launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front. They have strived in economic development for their own benefit and to contribute to the nation. Local authorities have created the best conditions for Catholic people to practice their religion and established close relations with them in line with the state’s religious policies.
Le Duc De is Chairman of the Tho Xuong People’s Committee in Tho Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province: “We have regularly discussed with the priests social issues. We ask for their advice and assistance in community activities and support their religious affairs. We invited them to attend new school year celebrations and the inauguration of the cultural house. Priest Nguyen Van Ky told me that he would never say anything against the state’s policies and the administration should help them in all issues. I told him that we should maintain a close relationship in dealing with any matter.”
A merry and joyful Christmas has proved the efforts of Vietnamese Catholics to live the gospel in a secular society and a good relationship between religious people and the community.