The Bishop of Xian Loc and Chairman of the Episcopal Committee of Charitable and Social Activities of the Vietnam Bishops’ Council, Mgr Nguyen Chu Trinh, announced that with the launch of Caritas “a new phase begins for the Church of Vietnam” and the possibility to work for the neediest again.Caritas Vietnam was blocked by the Communist regime in this country in 1976. In a recent letter sent to bishops by the head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Nguyen The Doanh, writes that "Bishops' Committee consents to use ‘the name’ Caritas Vietnam and register for social activities to undertake.
In a letter dated July 2 the text adds that this name “can be used in every diocese by registering its charitable and social activities with the People’s Committee in every province, city or at central level.”
However, the government is not allowing the entry of Caritas International. The “government has not yet laid down the principles that would regulate the activities of international NGOs”.
The text specifies that “Vietnam Caritas is based on Vietnam’s law and regulations and comes under the supervision of the government’s Office for Religions and Religious Association Activities as well the office in charge of NGOs.”
Monsignor Chu Trinh said: “This action by the government is good for the Vietnamese Church. For us this is the start of a new phase. From now on the charitable and social activities by the Bishops’ Council can be organised and managed according to a unified approach, from the parish level to the diocese and the centre instead of being scattered like before.”
In view of certain national and international aspects, Monsignor Chu Trinh said that “this action by the government is good for the Vietnamese Church. For us this is the start of a new phase. From now on the charitable and social activities by the Bishops’ Council can be organised and managed according to a unified approach.”
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(Source: RI)