VIETNAMESE REFUGEE NAMED MELBOURNE AUXILIARY

ZE11052009 - 2011-05-20
Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-32632?l=english

MELBOURNE, Australia, MAY 20, 2011 (Zenit.org).- Benedict XVI named Conventual Franciscan Father Vincent Long Van Nguyen as auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Melbourne, Australia.

Vincent Long Van Nguyen is a native of Dong Nai, Saigon, Vietnam. In 1980, he and his family fled the country in a refugee boat destined for Australia.

In 1983, Nguyen became a Conventual Franciscan friar and studied for the priesthood in Melbourne. He was ordained in 1989, and was then sent to Rome for further studies. He received a licentiate in Christology and Spirituality from the Pontifical Faculty of St. Bonaventure.

He was elected superior of the Order of Friars Minor Conventuals in Australia in 2005, and since 2008, he has been in Rome serving as assistant-general, responsible for the Asia-Oceania section of order.

Archbishop Denis Hart of Melbourne called the appointment "historic": "He escaped from Vietnam by boat as a young man, came to Melbourne, joined the Conventual Franciscans, and has already given distinguished service as a pastor in Springvale, as a leader in his order and has made a generous and gifted contribution to the Church."

Bishop-designate Nguyen will be ordained bishop June 23 in Melbourne's St. Patrick's Cathedral.

First Vatican representative to Vietnam since 1975

OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS

VATICAN CITY, 13 JAN 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father appointed Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio to Indonesia, as apostolic nuncio to Singapore, apostolic delegate to Malaysia and to Brunei, and non-residential pontifical representative for Vietnam.

Source: V.I.S. -Vatican Information Service. www.visnews.org

Đức Thánh Cha bổ nhiệm Đại diện không thường trú đầu tiên tại Việt Nam

VATICAN. Hôm 13-1-2011, ĐTC Biển Đức 16 đã bổ nhiệm Đức TGM Leopoldo Girelli làm Đại diện Tòa Thánh không thường trú đầu tiên tại Việt Nam.

Nguyên văn thông báo của Phòng Báo chí Tòa Thánh viết:


”ĐTC bổ nhiệm Đức Cha Leopoldo Girelli, TGM hiệu tòa Capri, làm Sứ Thần Tòa Thánh tại Singapore, kiêm Khâm Sứ Tòa Thánh tại Malaysia và Brunei, và làm Đại Diện Tòa Thánh không thường trú tại Việt Nam. Cho đến nay Đức TGM Girelli là Sứ thần Tòa Thánh tại Indonesia”.

Đức TGM Girelli năm nay 58 tuổi, sinh ngày 13-3-1953 tại làng Predore, thuộc giáo phận Bergamo, bắc Italia, thụ phong linh mục năm 1978, theo học tại trường ngoại giao Tòa Thánh từ 1984 đến 1987. Sau khi ra trường, cha Girelli lần lượt phục vụ tại các Tòa Sứ Thần Tòa Thánh tại Camerun (1987-1991), New Zealand (1991-1993), rồi được gọi về Bộ ngoại giao Tòa Thánh để phục vụ trong 8 năm, từ 1993 đến 2001, trước khi được gửi sang Tòa Sứ Thần tại Hoa Kỳ (2001-2006). Sau 5 năm tại đây, ngài được bổ nhiệm làm TGM Sứ Thần Tòa Thánh tại Indonesia và Đông Timor, và thụ phong GM ngày 17-6 cùng năm 2006 do ĐHY Angelo Sodano, Quốc vụ khanh Tòa Thánh chủ phong.

Cho đến nay, vị Sứ Thần Tòa Thánh tại Thái Lan kiêm nhiệm chức vụ Sứ Thần Tòa Thánh tại Singapore, kiêm Khâm Sứ Tòa Thánh tại Malaysia và Brunei. Nay Tòa Thánh tách rời 2 nhiệm vụ này để ủy cho vị Sứ Thần riêng, kiêm nhiệm chức vụ Đại diện không thường trú tại Việt Nam.

Tuyên bố hôm 10-1 vừa qua trước ngoại giao đoàn cạnh Tòa Thánh, ĐTC nói: ”Tôi muốn hài lòng ghi nhận rằng chính quyền Việt Nam đã chấp nhận để tôi chỉ định một Đại diện, qua các cuộc viếng thăm cộng đồng Công giáo quý mến tại nước này, vị ấy sẽ bày tỏ sự quan tâm ân cần của Người Kế Vị Thánh Phêrô”. (SD 13-1-2011)

LM. G. Trần Đức Anh OP
Source: http://vietvatican.net/

Holy See To Have Non-Resident Representative To Vietnam

Vatican City, 26 Jun 2010 (VIS) - The Secretariat of State today published the following English-language communique:

"As agreed at its first meeting in Hanoi in February 2009, the second meeting of the Vietnam - Holy See Joint Working Group took place in the Vatican from 23 to 24 June, co-chaired by Msgr. Ettore Balestrero, Holy See under secretary for Relations with States who headed the Holy See delegation, and Nguyen Quoc Cuong, vice minister of Foreign Affairs who headed the Vietnamese Delegation.

"After reviewing the progress made since the first Joint Working Group meeting, the two sides discussed international issues and those related to bilateral relations and to the Catholic Church in Vietnam. The Vietnamese side recalled its consistent policy of respect for freedom of religion and belief as well as the legal provisions to guarantee its implementation. The Holy See delegation took note of this explanation and asked that further conditions be established so that the Church may participate effectively in the development of the country, especially in the spiritual, educational, healthcare, social and charitable fields. The Holy See delegation also mentioned that the Church in her teaching invites the faithful to be good citizens and therefore to work for the common good of the population.

"The two sides noted encouraging developments in various areas of Catholic life in Vietnam, especially in relation to the Jubilee Year. Furthermore they recalled the address of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI during the last 'ad limina' visit of the Vietnamese bishops and the Holy Father's Message to the Catholic Church in Vietnam on the occasion of the Jubilee Year, and agreed that these teachings of the Holy Father would serve as an orientation for the Catholic Church in Vietnam in the years ahead.

"On bilateral relations the two sides appreciated the positive developments since the first meeting of the Joint Working Group, especially the meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and the Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet in December 2009. The two sides also had in-depth and comprehensive discussions on bilateral diplomatic relations. In order to deepen the relations between the Holy See and Vietnam, as well as the bonds between the Holy See and the local Catholic Church, it was agreed that, as a first step, a non-resident representative of the Holy See for Vietnam will be appointed by the Pope.

"The two sides decided to hold the third meeting of the Joint Working Group in Vietnam; the time of the meeting will be settled through diplomatic channels.

"On the occasion of the meeting, the Vietnamese delegation paid courtesy visits to Archbishop Dominique Mamberti, Holy See secretary for Relations with States, to the Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples and to the Vicariate of the diocese of Rome. The Delegation also visited the Holy See's 'Bambino Gesu' paediatric hospital in Rome".

SS/ VIS 20100628 (490)
Source: Vatican Information Service - English

Coadjutor Welcomed in Hanoi, Vietnam

Despite Protests, Ceremony Takes Place in Peace

HANOI, Vietnam, MAY 12, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The newly appointed coadjutor archbishop of Hanoi was welcomed into that archdiocese peacefully, despite fears that the people's loyalty to their current archbishop would create conflict.

Coadjutor Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Da Lat, president of the Vietnamese episcopal conference, was appointed to that position April 22 by Benedict XVI.

A thanksgiving Mass was celebrated Friday upon his arrival to Hanoi, which was attended by a great number of faithful, reported the Eglises d'Asie agency of the Foreign Missions of Paris.

The agency noted that the ceremony unfolded normally despite fears of manifestations in support of the present archbishop.

It stated that emotion over the appointment, and above all fear of an eventual departure of Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, 57, currently head of the archdiocese, gave rise to mounting tension in the preceding days and numerous debates and statements, especially on the Internet.

Archbishop Kiet had just arrived back to Hanoi on April 9 after spending more than a month in Rome where he was receiving medical treatment.

During the prelate's absence, rumors had been circulating, including allegations of negotiations underway between the bishops' conference and the civil authorities about the archbishop's resignation and his replacement. This information was never confirmed.

Physical weakness

Archbishop Kiet has been experiencing insomnia and physical weakness due to the strain of recent events such as hosting an Apostolic Delegation, beginning in December of 2007.

As well, he has been dealing with increased tension between the faithful and the civil authorities due to a land battle over a parish in Thai Ha, and the police's destruction of a crucifix at Dong Chiem.

Last June, during his five-yearly visit to Rome, the prelate mentioned his health concerns to Church authorities, who eventually invited him to Rome for a period of rest and healing.

The Catholic people and clergy of Hanoi, who are very close to the person of their archbishop, were at that time expressing concerns over the constant rumors regarding the replacement of the prelate.

Thus, the announcement regarding Archbishop Nhon's welcome Mass specifically requested that the faithful refrain from bringing anything "that was useless to the celebration and that they abstain from all gestures or words that might harm the good unfolding of the ceremonies."

In the end, the event organizers succeeded in avoiding incidents inside the cathedral, where there was an atmosphere of total recollection, and in limiting outbursts to outside the cathedral.

The archdiocesan seminarians helped to maintain order by asking the people carrying banners and pictures of the current archbishop to dispose of them before entering the cathedral or otherwise to stay outside.

In the atrium, numerous groups were present with pictures of Archbishop Kiet and banners with inscriptions of affection for their pastor.

Obedience

During the ceremony, Archbishop Kiet introduced the new coadjutor, emphasizing the subject of communion between the pastor and his flock.

After pointing out that his present state of health justified the presence of an archbishop coadjutor, the prelate stated that when a bishop receives the charge of a diocese, he is linked to it by a bond of love, and thus Archbishop Nhon is today adopting Hanoi as his homeland.

Henceforth, the new archbishop will live, suffer and rejoice with his people, Archbishop Kiet said. He invited the faithful to obey the new archbishop as they had obeyed him.

In his response, Archbishop Nhon also highlighted the virtue of obedience.

"I come here out of obedience to God and to the Holy Father," he said. The prelate explained that, as the history of Christ and of the Church shows, this obedience is connected to the mysteries of the Cross and of suffering.

Bishop Joseph Nguyen Chi Linh of Thanh Hoa, vice-president of the episcopal conference, gave the homily, in which he stated that this was the occasion for the various members of the people of God to express themselves and for the bishops of Vietnam to hear the voice of the community.

The Archdiocese of Hanoi has about 335,000 Catholics in a population of some 5.4 million. The faithful are served by 91 priests and 322 religious.

Permalink: http://www.zenit.org/article-29228?l=english

Hanoi Archbishop seeks to calm fears

In a bid to ease concerns expressed by local Catholics, Hanoi Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet has issued a statement welcoming the appointment of his new coadjutor Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon.

Archbishop Kiet and his office have issued several statements this relating to the new Hanoi coadjutor’s appointment, VietCatholic reports.

Read more at www.cathnewsasia.com

Message For Jubilee Year in Vietnam

VATICAN CITY, 26 NOV 2009 (VIS) - Vietnam is celebrating a Jubilee Year to commemorate 350 years since the foundation of the apostolic vicariates of Tonkin and Cochinchina, and fifty years since the creation of the Catholic hierarchy in the country. The Holy Father has joined the commemoration, sending a Message to Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Dalat, president of the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam.

In the text, dated 17 November, Benedict XVI notes how the opening of the Jubilee coincided with the feast of the 117 Vietnamese martyrs and expresses the hope that "the recollection of their noble witness may help the People of God in Vietnam to intensify their charity, increase their hope and consolidate their faith, which daily life sometimes tests very harshly".

The Pope likewise recalls how the opening celebrations took place at So-Kien in the archdiocese of Hanoi, location of the first apostolic vicariate in Vietnam, and expresses the hope that this site may become "the centre for a profound evangelisation which brings Vietnamese society the Gospel values of charity, truth, justice and rectitude. Such values, if lived following Christ, take on a new dimension which surpasses their traditional moral sense, because they are anchored in God Who desires the good and happiness of all creatures".

"The Jubilee Year", he writes, "is a time of grace in which to reconcile ourselves with God and our fellow man. To this end, we should recognise past and present errors committed against brothers in the faith and against fellow countrymen, and ask for forgiveness. At the same time, it would be appropriate to commit to increasing and enriching ecclesial communion, and to building a more just, united, equal society through authentic dialogue, mutual respect and healthy collaboration. The Jubilee is also a special time given to us to renew the announcement of the Gospel to everyone, and to become, to an ever greater degree, a Church of communion and mission".

Benedict XVI concludes his Message by greeting religious and laity in Vietnam who, he writes, "are ever present in my thoughts and daily prayers", and by encouraging bishops "to bear witness with courage and perseverance to the greatness of God and the beauty of life in Christ".

Source: Vatican Information Service VIS 091126 (380)

Police block Catholics from Vietnam court hearing

Per AFP :

HANOI (AFP) - Vietnamese police blocked about 1,000 Roman Catholics from converging on a Hanoi court Friday where they wanted to support eight fellow believers caught up in a land dispute. An AFP reporter saw hundreds of police deployed and barriers erected about 200 metres (220 yards) from the complex to stop people approaching the trial area. Singing from Bibles, the Catholics carried signs reading: "Justice, truth" and "You are innocent". Another criticised what it called an "unjust" trial. The Catholics and police stood quite closely together but there appeared to be no tension between them. The court case -- an appeal by the eight against their conviction in a land dispute with the communist state -- began at about 0135 GMT.

Click here for more detail.

Vatican delegation warmly greeted by Hanoi Catholics

» 02/16/2009 16:26

VIETNAM – VATICAN
Vatican delegation warmly greeted by Hanoi Catholics
Many faithful welcome the representatives of the Holy See. Their first meeting is in the Archbishopric, whose chief the government wants out. Plans include meetings at the Foreign Ministry to discuss diplomatic relations but also at the Central Committee on Religious Affairs.

Hanoi (AsiaNews) – A Vatican delegation arrived in Hanoi yesterday afternoon and was warmly welcomed by local Catholics. Led by Mgr Pietro Parolin, undersecretary for Relations with States, the delegation includes Mgr Francis Cao Minh Dung, head of the Bureau of South East Asian Affairs at the Secretariat of State, and Mgr Barnabé Nguyên Van Phunong, bureau chief at the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples. A guest of the Vietnamese government, the delegation officially starts a visit today that will last till next Saturday.

Upon their arrival the Vatican representatives (pictured) went to the Hanoi Archbishopric where they were warmly greeted by many faithful. There they also held their first meeting with Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, eventually ending their day with a Mass at St Joseph Cathedral, crowded with worshippers.

Vietnam’s government had announced the 16th visit by a Vatican delegation last Thursday. According to the statement released on that day by Vietnam’s official news agency VNA, the visit is an opportunity for “discussions” concerning “diplomatic relations” with the Holy See, Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung was quoted as saying.

In letter, released subsequently, the chairman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon said that the Vatican delegation would meet officials from Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry as announced by Vietnamese authorities, but also officials from the Central Committee on Religious Affairs.

In the latter case the delicate issue of clashes between authorities and the Church over the past year is likely to be a topic of discussion. It concerns the seizure of Church-owned properties like the compound of the former apostolic delegation in Hanoi and land owned by the Thai Ha parish, also in the capital, as well as other issues like the Vinh Long convent.

Talks over such issues come in the wake of a directive issued by Vietnam’s prime minister earlier this year stating that none of the 2,250 properties seized from Vietnam’s Church will be returned to their owners.

Discussions will also take place against a background that includes the trial and conviction of some Catholics for protesting against the takeover of Church property as well as a request made by the authorities to Vietnam’s bishops that they replace Mgr Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet as archbishop of Hanoi, a request always rejected by the bishops.

Local sources suggest that Vietnamese leaders are likely to repeat such a demand when they meet the representatives of the Holy See.

During its visit the Vatican delegation is expected to meet the Executive Committee of the Bishops’ Conference as well as travel to the northern dioceses of Thai Binh and Bui Chu.

In his letter the CBCV chairman said that the Vatican delegation specifically asked Vietnamese Catholics for “intense prayers” as a token of their “love for the Church.”

In a veiled reference to the Vietnam Committee for Catholic Solidarity (VCCS), the letter also mentioned the need for Christian unity.

Since 1955 the government has in fact tried to use the VCCS to create a ‘patriotic Church’ faithful to the Communist Party and not the Pope

Although this attempt has had little success, it has not stopped the authorities from trying to re-launch the VCCS last November because of rising Church-State tensions.

Copyright © 2003 AsiaNews C.F. 00889190153 All rights reserved.
Source: http://new.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=14496

Vatican delegation concelebrates Mass at Hanoi Cathedral

Vatican delegation concelebrates Mass at Hanoi Cathedral
VietCatholic News (16 Feb 2009 05:29)

Despite of being under a tight schedule, the Holy See delegation concelebrated Sunday Mass with Vietnamese bishops at Hanoi Cathedral. Thousands attended the festive, funfilled ceremony.

Just hours after arriving Hanoi on Sunday Feb. 15, Msgr. Pietro Parolin, Msgr. Francis Cao Minh Dung, and Msgr. Barnabe Nguyen Van Phuong concelebrated Sunday Mass at St. Joseph Cathedral with Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet and Auxiliary Bishop Lawrence Chu Van Minh of Hanoi, Bishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngan of Lang Son, Bishop Cosme Hoang Van Dat of Bac Ninh, Bishop Anthony Vu Huy Chuong of Hung Hoa, and hundreds of priests. Thousands attended the ceremony.

One of the highlights of the Mass was young children's traditional straw hat dance which is rarely seen being performed during regular mass celebration, where young girls clad in ao-dai - Vietnamese for traditional clothing- and dance to the music while forming different artistic figures with their straw hats.

VietCatholic News has learned that days before, Bishops has informed Catholics in Vietnam about the visit asking specifically for intensive prayers for its success. The visit is understood by Catholics as a difficult one as it occurs at the time when Vietnam government has shown an increasing hostility toward Catholics as a result of series of conflicts over the ownership of Church properties that have been systematically seized by local authorities.

In a letter dated Feb 13, 2009, Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon, Chairman of the Conference informed that the visit “will involve a series of meetings with the government authorities at the Foreign Ministry and the Central Committee on Religious Affairs on the diplomatic relation between Vietnam and the Holy See.”

“Also on agenda will be its meeting with the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Conference of Catholic Bishops and with Vietnamese archbishops. Last but not least will be its visits to Thai Binh and Bui Chu dioceses of North Vietnam,” he continued.

Foreseeing difficulties in this 16th annual visit of the Holy See, the Conference Chairman specifically asked Vietnamese Catholics for intensive prayers and sacrifices as "a sign of solidarity and the love for the Church.”

“May all of us through this Holy See visit can perceive Jesus’ fervent desire as He prays earnestly to His Father for us 'to be in one' (Ga 17,21)," he concluded.

His conclusion reminds the presence of the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity of Catholics, a state-run organization established by the Communists in an attempt to create a “Patriotic Church” in Vietnam after the Communist takeover of South Vietnam. The atheist government has recently promoted it after a series of Catholic protests in Hanoi, Hue, Vinh Long and other dioceses.

A day before, Vietnam's government had announced that meetings would be held on next Monday and Tuesday in Hanoi between representatives of Vietnam and Vatican to "discuss the possibility of establishing 'diplomatic relations' with the Holy See", Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung was quoted as saying by VNA - the country's official news agency.

After the Church has struggled through a difficult year, clashing with the Communist regime repeatedly over the ownership of properties that have been seized by the government, Vietnamese Catholics both at home and abroad alike are watching closely the development with much interest. Despite all less than perfect outcome in the past from dialogues being held between the two states, many still hope that the Holy Spirit will be upon the Holy See delegates during this negotiation process so that they will not only be able to convey to the state of Vietnam its Christian/citizens legitimates aspiration on their land issue but also to reiterate the Church and its faithful's right to live in dignity and freedom to practice their religion without being like puppets under the maneuver of an atheist government in the name of national security and unity as if Catholicism is an evil religion of violence and anti-nationalism.

Emily Nguyen
http://vietcatholic.net/News/Html/64202.htm

Phai doan Toa Thanh tham Toa TGM va dang le tai Nha Tho chinh toa Ha Noi

Phái đoàn Tòa Thánh thăm Tòa TGM và dâng lễ tại Nhà thờ chính tòa Hà Nội
VietCatholic News (16 Feb 2009 14:02)

HÀ NỘI - 18 giờ chiều ngày 15 tháng 2 năm 2009, Phái đoàn Tòa Thánh Vatican đã dâng Thánh Lễ trọng thể tại Nhà thờ Chính tòa Hà Nội, tham dự Thánh lễ có sự hiện diện của Đức TGM Giuse Ngô Quang Kiệt, Đức TGM ngoại quốc, Đức Cha Lorenso Chu Văn Minh - giám mục phụ tá Hà Nội, Đức Cha Anton Vũ Huy Chương - giám mục Hưng Hóa, Đức Cha Giuse Đặng Đức Ngân - giám mục Lạng Sơn Cao Bằng, Đức Cha Cosma Hoàng Văn Đạt - giám mục Bắc Ninh, và quý Cha trong miền Hà nội. Hàng ngàn giáo dân đã hiệp thông sốt sắng trong Thánh lễ đặc biệt này.

Hà Nội-Chiều 15/2/2009, khoảng 14 h 45 Đức cha Phụ tá Lôrenxô Chu Văn Minh và cha Chánh Văn phòng, Gioan Lê Trọng Cung đã đón Phái đoàn Toà Thánh từ nhà khách Chính phủ ở số 2 Lê Thạch.

Khoảng 15 h Phái đoàn Toà Thánh đã đến Toà Tổng Giám Mục Hà Nội. Đức Tổng Giám Mục Giuse Ngô Quang Kiệt, quý cha trong thành phố Hà Nội, quý thầy chủng sinh và chị em nữ tu MTG Hà Nội đã đón tiếp phái đoàn.

Khoảng 17 h 30, giáo dân và tu sĩ nam nữ đã tràn ngập khu vực Toà Tổng Giám Mục và Nhà thờ Chính Toà để chào mừng phái đoàn và tham dự thánh lễ. Họ đến từ nhiều giáo xứ khác nhau trong ngoài thành phố Hà Nội, có những nhóm đến từ giáo phận Bắc Ninh.

Hiện diện và tham dự thánh lễ còn có Đức Tổng Giám Mục Hà Nội, Đức cha Antôn Vũ Huy Chương, Giám mục Hưng Hoá, Đức cha Giuse Đặng Đức Ngân, Giám mục Lạng Sơn, Đức cha Cosma Hoàng Văn Đạt, Giám mục Bắc Ninh và Đức cha Lorenxo Chu Văn Minh, Giám mục Phụ tá Hà Nội. Còn có cả một Đức Giám Mục người Guatemala và một Đức Ông người Đức đang tham gia
hội thảo khoa học tại Việt Nam cũng đến đồng tế.

Đoàn rước đi từ nhà nguyện Toà TGM sang Nhà Thờ Chính Toà giữa các tràng vỗ tay liên tục của cộng đoàn tín hữu, bên cạnh quý Đức Ông Phái Đoàn Toà Thánh, người đặc biệt được giáo dân mến mộ và nhiệt thành bày tỏ tình cảm là Đức TGM Ngô Quang Kiệt. Các bước đi của ngài luôn bị
chậm lại và đoàn rước luôn bị gián đoạn từ chỗ ngài vì giáo dân già trẻ lớn bé muốn tặng hoa cho ngài, muốn được hôn kính tay ngài và được ngài chúc lành.

Tại quảng trường Nhà thờ Chính Toà, Đức Tổng Giám Mục Hà Nội đã giới thiệu quý Đức Ông trong Phái đoàn Toà Thánh và quý Đức Cha hiện diện và thay mặt cộng đoàn nói lên nỗi vui mừng được đón tiếp Phái đoàn Toà Thánh. Đội văn nghệ thiếu nhi của các nữ tu Dòng Thánh Phaolô đã trình diễn một màn văn nghệ độc đáo, đầy mầu sắc để chào mừng Phái đoàn Toà Thánh ngay tại sân khấu Nhà Thờ Chính Toà.

Thánh lễ do Đức Ông Pietro Parolin chủ tế, Đức ông Nguyễn Văn Phương và Đức Ông Cao Minh Dung đồng tế. Trong lời chia sẻ với cộng đoàn, Đức Ông Pietro đã chuyển lời thăm của Đức Thánh Cha và phép lành của ngài cho mọi người hiện diện. Đức Ông cũng nói lên sự xúc động và niềm vui
lớn khi Phái đoàn Toà Thánh được đến Việt Nam và dâng thánh lễ đầu tiên với cộng đoàn tại Nhà Thờ Chính Toà Hà Nội.

Kết thúc phần chia sẻ nội dung phụng vụ lời Chúa ngày chủ nhật, Đức Ông nói: "Mỗi người phải đặt câu hỏi: Tôi phải làm gì cho danh Chúa cả sáng và làm lợi cho Giáo Hội và cho Đất Nước? Mục tiêu của Giáo Hội làm làm thế nào để Chúa được vinh quang và cho người khác được lợi ích. Nguyện xin Chúa ban cho chúng ta biết mang Chúa đến cho người khác và mang người khác đến gặp Chúa".

Bài giảng của Đức Ông khá dài và luôn bị ngắt quãng bởi những tràng vỗ tay nồng nhiệt của cộng đoàn.

Cuối thánh lễ cha Giacôbê Nguyễn Văn Lý, Quản hạt Hà Nội và ông Chủ tịch Hội đồng Giáo xứ Chính Toà đã lần lượt chúc mừng và cám ơn Phái đoàn Ngoại giao Toà Thánh. Phái đoàn cũng được mời rút lộc lời Chúa nhân dịp đầu năm. Khi câu lời Chúa của các thành viên trong phái đoàn
được đọc lên, mọi người vỗ tay cổ vũ vang trời vì thấy nội dung ám hợp với hoàn cảnh và công việc của các ngài.

Thánh lễ kéo dài hơn 2 tiếng. Đức Ông Pietro Parolin cám ơn Đức Tổng Giám Mục Hà Nội và mọi người đã góp phần làm nên thánh lễ cảm động và sốt sắng hôm nay. Kết thúc ngài mời gọi: "Xin anh chị em hy sinh, cầu nguyện cho chúng tôi. Chúng tôi cần ánh sáng và sức mạnh của Chúa
Thánh Thần để chu toàn sứ vụ của mình, làm lợi ích cho mọi người, nhất là làm sáng danh Chúa trên đất nước Việt Nam này".

TGP Hà Nội
Source: http://vietcatholic.net/News/Html/64209.htm

Thu cua Duc Cha Nguyen van Nhon ve viec phai doan Toa Thanh den tham VN

Here is the copy of bishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Nhơn's letter, chairman of Vietnamese Bishops Confence, regarding to the incoming Vatican delegation to visit Vietnam



Quote from VOVNews.vn:

Vatican delegation to visit Vietnam on diplomatic ties

A joint working group between Vietnam and the Vatican will convene their first meeting in Hanoi on February 16-17 to discuss the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two nations, according to Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung.

Answering a question raised by the Vietnam News Agency on February 11, Mr Dung affirmed that a Vatican delegation led by Undersecretary of State for Relations with States, Pietro Parolin, will visit Vietnam early next week to discuss the matter with a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Cuong.

Mr Dung said that the Vietnamese Government agreed to the Vatican’s request for the meeting, demonstrating the country’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance and multilateralisation and diversification of external relations.

This is an article from VietCatholic:

Vatican delegation to visit Vietnam
VietCatholic News (09 Feb 2009 15:38)

A Vatican delegation led by the second position in the Vatican's diplomatic service will visit Vietnam next week after the Church has struggled through a difficult year, clashing with the Communist regime repeatedly over the ownership of properties that have been seized by the government for decades.

Monsignor Pietro Parolin, the Holy See's Undersecretary of State for Relations with States will lead a Holy See's delegation to visit Vietnam from Feb. 16 – Feb. 21, 2009 in response to an invitation extended to him by the Vietnamese Foreign Minister. Although the purpose of the visit has not been officially announced, it has been speculated that talks of a diplomatic relationship between Vatican and Hanoi would be on top of the agenda.

In June 2008, talks of the same kind were held between the Holy See delegation and Deputy Prime Minister also Foreign Minister of Vietnam Pham Gia Khiem in order for both sides to lay out a road map for the relationship to be established. This upcoming visit, however, would include new topics on the agenda which didn't suppose to be on the previous one as bilateral relations have been complicated by a series of mistreatment of Catholic activists by the Vietnamese government as disputes over Church property seized by the government taking placed.

The most dramatic conflicts have occurred in Hanoi, where lay Catholic activists have staged public protests demanding the return of a building that once housed the offices of the apostolic nuncio in Vietnam, and a piece of property that belonged to Hanoi Redemptorist monastery. Several other conflicts also have broken out involving other properties in Ha Dong, Saigon, and Vinh Long provinces. These disputes are likely going to raise tough questions during the talks between the Vietnamese and Vatican officials next week.

In a letter to Archbishop Joseph Ngo on Jan. 30, 2008, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone reassured Vietnamese Catholics that Vatican "will not miss out in explaining to your country and your government the legitimate aspiration of the Vietnamese Catholics."

At a time when the country's government has shown an increasing hostility toward the religious followers, local sources have expressed concerns that Vietnam Foreign Ministry and the Committee for Religious Affairs would put a great pressure on the Holy See delegation for the removal of Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet who have suffered a long period of virtual house arrest, calculated public defamation campaign by state-controlled media, not to mention public threat of violence and death aimed at him personally.

Msgr. Barnabe Nguyen Van Phuong, a Vietnamese priest, bureau chief at the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, who has joined the Holy See delegation in previous 15 trips to Vietnam, seems not to be welcomed by Vietnam government. He will be replaced by another priest. This has raised further concerns among Catholics in Vietnam.

Another hot topic on the agenda would be the long delays in the appointment of bishops and diocesan administrators. This has always been a central point on the agenda in the bilateral meetings between the Vatican and the Vietnam government. There are numerous dioceses such as Phat Diem, Buon Me Thuot still without a bishop, and there are aging bishops who would like to but cannot retire due to lack of replacement such as bishops of Vinh and Thai Binh dioceses.

The situation of the Church in Vietnam has been somewhat improved due in good part to the persistent efforts of the Holy See to maintain an official dialogue with the authorities, including a more or less annual visit to Vietnam of a Vatican delegation. However, there can be no denying that religious freedom is still severely limited in today's Vietnam. Typically, the government still requires consultation on the appointment of bishops and the selection of candidates for the priesthood.

Nguyen The Doanh, head of Committee for Religious Affairs once stated that "It doesn't matter (to the state) who the bishop is going to be, as long as this person can maintain stability in his locality and balance between religious and secular relationships." But reality has revealed a different picture in which numerous of dioceses are still vacant while several able and qualified candidates who have been chosen by the Church have been told to wait indefinitely for the approval of the state.

Apart from dialogues with Vietnam government, the delegation also plans to visit a number of dioceses and to meet with the Vietnam Bishop conference while visiting Vietnam.

Though Vatican has expressed its willingness to conduct fruitful dialogues with the state of Vietnam, series of government’s mishandling religious issues and human right abuse in recent months has not been helpful to their position on the issue at hand. Reports from the foreign and Vietnamese overseas news outlets such as VietCatholic News has shed light into what truly happening to the Vietnamese Church behind the iron curtain of communist Vietnam, especially when the human rights and religious abuse is being covered up by the entire state owned news media.
J.B. An Dang

Hanoi Archbishop threatened to be arrested, gang ransacked Redemptorists’ chapel

VietCatholic News (Chúa Nhật 21/09/2008 19:41)

Confrontations between protestors and police

Bishops among protestors

Ten thousand protestors on Sunday morning

Hanoi People’s Committee has just released a statement falsely accused Hanoi Archbishop and threated to punish him severly.

State media on Sunday evening carried a statement from Nguyen The Thao, the chairman of People’s Committee of Hanoi City in which he accused Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of inciting riots, falsely accusing the government, ridiculing the law, and disrespecting the nation.

“On Sep. 19,2008, on behalf of the archbishop’s office, he [the prelate] signed ‘an urgent protest letter’ to the President and the Priminister with distortional information to falsely accuse the government disrespecting the law, challenging the state with words such as ‘We have our rights to use all of our capabilities to protect our property’,” Thao wrote.

“After that, the archbishop’s office used loud speaker …to read the letter,” he added.

Thao went on accused Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of treason when “sending letter everywhere to call for communion… smearing the state”. He stated that “his [the prelate] deeds have angered people of the capital.”

“These behaviours of offending the law, going against the benefits of state and nation must be punish severly in order to defense our regime, to protect rights and legitimate benefits of the state and citizens,” he concluded.

Thousands of Catholics demonstrated in Hanoi on Sunday morning following another protest of more than 5000 on Saturday evening, after the authorities began to demolish the Apostolic Nunciature and lay siege to several more church buildings.

In what was the largest protest since the Communist takeover in 1954, Bishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngan of Lang Son and hundreds of priests led a march of more than ten thousand through the city to the nunciature where they set up an altar and statue of Our Lady in the street.

The site has been surrounded by rolls of barbed wire and a police cordon with dogs. Inside hundreds of men worked round the clock to pull down the building and construct a library and a park while protesters sang hymns and prayed outside.

J.B. An Dang

Campaign against Catholics Continues in Vietnam

9/19/2008
Asia News

A Catholic who died years ago is interviewed and false statements are attributed to priests as Government Media continues its anti-Catholic Campaign.
HANOI (AsiaNews) – Now the dead are interviewed. If there was no clear political goal campaign behind the campaign by government media against Thai Ha parishioners, the whole thing could be dismissed as ridiculous. However, in an attempt to find Catholics who are against peaceful demonstrations by local faithful a TV station goes so far as to pay a poor man to speak against the former. A Catholic judge and a priest are forced to deny statements attributed to them in the print media. Another paper reports a statement by an actual Catholic; too bad that he has been dead for some years.

Imagine the reaction of Judge Vu Kim My, prosecutor in Kim Son (Phat Diem diocese), when last Monday People’s Police reported statements he never made. “I never said anything about Thai Ha,” he said after reading his alleged statement. The journalist who interviewed him asked him some general questions about the law; “everything else in the article was added.”

What happened to the judge confirms what the diocese of Hanoi had said in early September about another case. At that time two alleged priests, Pham Huy Ba and Nguyen Van Nhat, had spoken against the demonstrations, except that according to the diocese “they have never been priests”.

Similarly, the New Hanoi newspaper printed a statement by Nguyen Quoc Cuong, an alleged member of the Dai On parish in Chuong My who accused Thai ha demonstrators of “not following the Catholic catechism;” except, said Mgr Vu Huy Chuong, “such a person simply did not exist” according to a member of the parish council.

On the same newspaper, this almost miraculous event was followed by an even greater one. A few days ago a certain Nguyen Duc Thang, a dissident Catholic was presented as an opponent to the Thai Ha protesters. Fr Nguyen Khac Que, vicar in Thach Bich parish, confirmed that the man was among his parishioners, but there was a glitch in the whole story: “He died a few years ago.”

Fr Nguyen Van Khanh, vicar in Gia Nghia (Lam Long province), did not fare much better when he heard state-run radio The Voice of Vietnam say that he was against the demonstrators, going so far as to quote him saying that “all the parish’s land problems with the government were solved completely in fairness.” In fact not only was he never interviewed, but his parish is involved in a legal wrangle with the authorities over Church land “they seized without compensation.”

Last but not least a group a Hanoi TV crew allegedly interviewed an old man on 4 September. He was presented as a Catholic, but when asked for his Christian name, he could not give it because he did not know it. He eventually said that he was just a poor man and the TV people “gave me some money to act and speak as instructed.”

In response to the attacks Catholic authorities have issued warnings for priests and the faithful. A note from the deputy chancellor of the diocese of Hanoi, Fr Anthony Pham Anh Dung, has been read in all Sunday Masses. In it the faithful are urged to be careful about possible tricks by state media, especially during interviews, designed to “fabricate false scenarios in order to mislead and deceive public opinion.”

“Let us not forget to pray for writers and all those who work in the media. May they know how to respect each and every person and have the courage to act according to their conscience,” he said.In other dioceses, stories about what is happening, published by AsiaNews and other Catholic agencies have been translated into Vietnamese and reproduced in parish newsletters and on bulletin boards. Photocopies are made and handed out.