Being put under domestic and international pressures, police in Dong Hoi, Vietnam temporarily have released 4 Catholics while state-run media have turned to their new target, the pastor of Tam Toa accusing him of “trampling on the laws of the country” and “inciting the faithful into illegal constructing a house on an Americans’ War Crimes Memorial Site”.
Father Vo Thanh Tam, secretary of the College of Priests of Vinh Diocese confirmed on Thursday night that 4 Catholics have been released temporarily while 3 others are still behind bars. “Criminal charges against them as announced by police on July 28 still stand, however”, the priest warned.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Ly, whose house had been frequently used by the faithful for liturgical services, was also released on Thursday. He immediately fled to Quang Trach 35km away from Dong Hoi for his safety. However, at 10 PM, police from Dong Hoi raided his home in Quang Trach and took him back to his home in the city where he is now under house arrest.
Fr. Le Thanh Hong, pastor of Tam Toa, who has been hunted by gangs acting on the police’s behest, has suffered a new wave of fierce attacks from state run media. The diocese of Vinh has expressed its growing concern for the safety of Fr. Hong as pro-government thugs have roamed the streets yelling anti-Catholic slogans suggesting his death.
The Saigon Liberated Newspaper on Wed. July 30, 2009 accused him of “trampling on the laws of the country” calling for severe punishments.
To prove its accusations against him having merit, the paper quoted the vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Hoi city, Mr. Bui Xuan Ngau, who stated that “the city has not granted license for any Catholic parish in the area”, another way of denying the existence of Tam Toa parish.
The paper reported that “The People’s Committee of Dong Hoi city has done enough favor for the Catholics in the area by allowing worship services at the house of Mr. Tran Cong Ly [the paper misspelled his surname, it should be Nguyen Cong Ly], located at 54 Nguyen Du, Dong Hoi with the condition that no more than 70 people can attend each service.”
However, “For years, Le Thanh Hong has often trampled on the laws of the country by celebrating Mass exceeding quota. He has lured hundreds of people from other places into the area to attend his Sunday Mass,” the paper continued.
“Warnings from local government and reactions from local people for his violation have no effect on him,” the paper accused.
Furthermore, “Apart from saying Mass illegally, and violating the laws blatantly, he has also distorted the truth and put on the Internet distortional statements,” the paper accused him, calling for immediate and severe punishments.
As a matter of fact, the only alleged “crime” he seemed to commit is celebrating Mass exceeding the quota of 70 faithful set by Vietnam government who has repeatedly reiterated its rhetoric about human rights and freedom of worship. There are thousands Catholics in Dong Hoi but the local government has repeatedly denied their existence. That’s why it set the quota of 70 participants for each service.
Local authority of Dong Hoi has not been so shy about making known of their desire to transform Dong Hoi into a "No Catholic zone" just like in Son La and several other towns in the Central Highland of Vietnam when the existence of Catholics have been denied - even thousands of them actually living in the area. Vietnam government has kept bragging about its well established policy on freedom for religion in the world forum, yet on the other hand keeps banning Catholic pastoral cares in numerous areas of the country.
In a Western or democratic society, this type of news would be categorized as "News of the Weird" or become subject to ridicules and comedy but in Vietnam this is a regular scene, happening too often and too boldly in broad daylight. This has once again served as a clear and convincing evidence of government manipulation and interference with religious affairs.
Father Vo Thanh Tam, secretary of the College of Priests of Vinh Diocese confirmed on Thursday night that 4 Catholics have been released temporarily while 3 others are still behind bars. “Criminal charges against them as announced by police on July 28 still stand, however”, the priest warned.
Mr. Nguyen Cong Ly, whose house had been frequently used by the faithful for liturgical services, was also released on Thursday. He immediately fled to Quang Trach 35km away from Dong Hoi for his safety. However, at 10 PM, police from Dong Hoi raided his home in Quang Trach and took him back to his home in the city where he is now under house arrest.
Fr. Le Thanh Hong, pastor of Tam Toa, who has been hunted by gangs acting on the police’s behest, has suffered a new wave of fierce attacks from state run media. The diocese of Vinh has expressed its growing concern for the safety of Fr. Hong as pro-government thugs have roamed the streets yelling anti-Catholic slogans suggesting his death.
The Saigon Liberated Newspaper on Wed. July 30, 2009 accused him of “trampling on the laws of the country” calling for severe punishments.
To prove its accusations against him having merit, the paper quoted the vice chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Hoi city, Mr. Bui Xuan Ngau, who stated that “the city has not granted license for any Catholic parish in the area”, another way of denying the existence of Tam Toa parish.
The paper reported that “The People’s Committee of Dong Hoi city has done enough favor for the Catholics in the area by allowing worship services at the house of Mr. Tran Cong Ly [the paper misspelled his surname, it should be Nguyen Cong Ly], located at 54 Nguyen Du, Dong Hoi with the condition that no more than 70 people can attend each service.”
However, “For years, Le Thanh Hong has often trampled on the laws of the country by celebrating Mass exceeding quota. He has lured hundreds of people from other places into the area to attend his Sunday Mass,” the paper continued.
“Warnings from local government and reactions from local people for his violation have no effect on him,” the paper accused.
Furthermore, “Apart from saying Mass illegally, and violating the laws blatantly, he has also distorted the truth and put on the Internet distortional statements,” the paper accused him, calling for immediate and severe punishments.
As a matter of fact, the only alleged “crime” he seemed to commit is celebrating Mass exceeding the quota of 70 faithful set by Vietnam government who has repeatedly reiterated its rhetoric about human rights and freedom of worship. There are thousands Catholics in Dong Hoi but the local government has repeatedly denied their existence. That’s why it set the quota of 70 participants for each service.
Local authority of Dong Hoi has not been so shy about making known of their desire to transform Dong Hoi into a "No Catholic zone" just like in Son La and several other towns in the Central Highland of Vietnam when the existence of Catholics have been denied - even thousands of them actually living in the area. Vietnam government has kept bragging about its well established policy on freedom for religion in the world forum, yet on the other hand keeps banning Catholic pastoral cares in numerous areas of the country.
In a Western or democratic society, this type of news would be categorized as "News of the Weird" or become subject to ridicules and comedy but in Vietnam this is a regular scene, happening too often and too boldly in broad daylight. This has once again served as a clear and convincing evidence of government manipulation and interference with religious affairs.