In an October 28 letter, Bishop Thomas Nguyen Van Tan of Vinh Long strongly protested the local government’s decision to begin demolishing a monastery and convert the property into a public square. “It’s so sorrowful to see a place for worshipping God, for praying to Him, for spiritual training, and for providing charity services being converted into a place for entertainment,” he said.

The bishop also protested the decision by local authorities to demolish a Catholic cemetery and convert it into a public park.