ASIA/VIETNAM-The Catholics “ are called to contribute to justice and peace in the nation”
Ho Chi Minh City (Agenzia Fides) - Vietnamese Catholics intend to commit themselves in building justice and peace in Vietnam, starting from their daily lives, so as to contribute to human and social development as well as the common good of the country: this is what emerged from the first seminar of the newly formed "Justice and Peace Commission" within the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam, held yesterday, May 27, at the Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Hochiminville. The seminar brought together 262 delegates from all dioceses in Vietnam. This Important event was attended by Cardinal John Baptist Pham Minh Man, Archbishop of Hochiminville; His Exc Mgr. Peter Nhon, Archbishop of Hanoi, President of the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam; His Exc Mgr. Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, Bishop of Vinh, President of the "Justice and Peace Commission"; the Bishops Lang Son and Can Tho, in addition to 49 diocesan priests, 120 religious of 49 congregations, 88 lay people.
Mgr. Peter Nhon, on presenting the new initiative of the Episcopal Conference, urged those present to "fix their eyes on the service of our Lord Jesus, who was anointed by the Holy Spirit 'to proclaim good tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord '(Luke 4.16-19). The Bishop invited all the faithful who work in the field of justice and peace to "plunge into the Word of God and be faithful to the Church's social doctrine."
Mgr. Paul Thai Hop, President of the Commission, explained the reasons for the seminar, who met together for the first time for a useful moment of training and discussion, the delegates of the Justice and Peace Commissions on a diocesan level and for those interested in working in this pastoral area. "The Commission for Justice and Peace is not a committee that demands the restitution of land or the release of detainees - the Bishop stressed - but it is a Commission that has to help the Vietnamese Catholics to understand and to show justice and peace in their life, following the example of Jesus and the Church's social doctrine. This way they will contribute to the authentic human and social development of the country. "
The meeting was followed by three reports on the nature and role of the Justice and Peace Commission (by Fr Anthony Son, Executive Secretary of the Commission),with regards to the challenges of our time (held by Father Thang GM) and the Justice and Peace in the Vietnamese context (speaker lawyer Quan).
The participants then divided themselves in working groups, where they talked about relevant issues, on a local level, in the field of justice and peace, and the prospects for pastoral work. Those present agreed that in human society there is always plenty of injustice, noting that "the role of Christians is to proclaim the civilization of love". Through sensibility of the heart - he said in conclusion of the work - the faithful "shall bear the suffering of the people" and "with hands ready to charity they contribute to fulfilling the Kingdom of God." (JG / PA Agenzia Fides 05/28/2011)
Ho Chi Minh City (Agenzia Fides) - Vietnamese Catholics intend to commit themselves in building justice and peace in Vietnam, starting from their daily lives, so as to contribute to human and social development as well as the common good of the country: this is what emerged from the first seminar of the newly formed "Justice and Peace Commission" within the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam, held yesterday, May 27, at the Pastoral Centre of the Archdiocese of Hochiminville. The seminar brought together 262 delegates from all dioceses in Vietnam. This Important event was attended by Cardinal John Baptist Pham Minh Man, Archbishop of Hochiminville; His Exc Mgr. Peter Nhon, Archbishop of Hanoi, President of the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam; His Exc Mgr. Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, Bishop of Vinh, President of the "Justice and Peace Commission"; the Bishops Lang Son and Can Tho, in addition to 49 diocesan priests, 120 religious of 49 congregations, 88 lay people.
Mgr. Peter Nhon, on presenting the new initiative of the Episcopal Conference, urged those present to "fix their eyes on the service of our Lord Jesus, who was anointed by the Holy Spirit 'to proclaim good tidings to the poor, to proclaim liberty to captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year acceptable to the Lord '(Luke 4.16-19). The Bishop invited all the faithful who work in the field of justice and peace to "plunge into the Word of God and be faithful to the Church's social doctrine."
Mgr. Paul Thai Hop, President of the Commission, explained the reasons for the seminar, who met together for the first time for a useful moment of training and discussion, the delegates of the Justice and Peace Commissions on a diocesan level and for those interested in working in this pastoral area. "The Commission for Justice and Peace is not a committee that demands the restitution of land or the release of detainees - the Bishop stressed - but it is a Commission that has to help the Vietnamese Catholics to understand and to show justice and peace in their life, following the example of Jesus and the Church's social doctrine. This way they will contribute to the authentic human and social development of the country. "
The meeting was followed by three reports on the nature and role of the Justice and Peace Commission (by Fr Anthony Son, Executive Secretary of the Commission),with regards to the challenges of our time (held by Father Thang GM) and the Justice and Peace in the Vietnamese context (speaker lawyer Quan).
The participants then divided themselves in working groups, where they talked about relevant issues, on a local level, in the field of justice and peace, and the prospects for pastoral work. Those present agreed that in human society there is always plenty of injustice, noting that "the role of Christians is to proclaim the civilization of love". Through sensibility of the heart - he said in conclusion of the work - the faithful "shall bear the suffering of the people" and "with hands ready to charity they contribute to fulfilling the Kingdom of God." (JG / PA Agenzia Fides 05/28/2011)