Vietnamese Catholics went to Mass and took part in prayers to celebrate the country’s 3,700 priests.The occasion was the 47th International Day of Vocation, which was held on 25 April in all of Vietnam’s dioceses.
The South East Asian nation is home to 5.7 Catholics (6.8 per cent of the population).
For every priest, there are 1,634 parishioners. Since 1975, Catholic priests in the south have carried out their mission under the watchful eye of Communist authorities, a situation that has often meant abuse and violence.
Yet, restrictions on pastoral work have not stopped these men, who are equally at home in the countryside among farmers or among residents of the country’s sprawling cities, magnets for tens of thousands of Catholics.
“I work 12 hours a day, but there are always more things to do,” said Fr Nguyen from Tan Hoa Parish (Bao Loc province).
“In addition to parish work, I help out with local Catholic associations.”
Everyone can profit from the charity work that priests perform; this has made them key figures in their own communities.
“The presence and vitality of priests and religious have brought happiness to our dioceses and to the Church,” Fr Gustave of Da Lat diocese (Plateaus region) said in his sermon. “They have answered Christ’ calling to be active all the time.”
“We must serve these men of God, help them so that they might bring light to our earth, and bear ever more witness for Christianity.”
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