Catholics of the parish of Tam
Toa in Dong Hoi, will finally have a church. An agreement in principle,
as reported by the Bishop of Vinh, Nguyen Thai Hop, "has been reached in
relation to the land on which the new church will be built."
In 2009, the Church of Tam Toa (pictured) was at the centre of a
conflict between Catholics and local authorities, with beatings,
injuries and arrests.
For Vietnamese Catholics the building has a very
special significance. It’s existence was first documented in 1631 and in
the seventeenth century it was the largest in the region, then called
Sao Bun, with 1200 faithful.
The present building, in Portuguese style
with a typical large bell tower, was built in 1887 and was considered
one of the most beautiful churches in the country.
During the war it was
hit during American bombing, leaving only the facade and bell tower
standing. When the war ended, the parishioners were so impoverished that
they could afford its restoration. Nevertheless, religious ceremonies
were held regularly on its land.
Until 1996, when the People's Committee
of Quang Binh province confiscated it, establishing what would become
"a memorial site" that should be "preserved and protected for future
generations to remember the war crimes of the Americans ".
The diocese’s requests for the return of the church fell on
deaf ears, despite the fact it was the only one available to the
faithful of the area, who had erected a crucifix and a tent in front of
the ruins of the building for their celebrations.
The authorities, on
July 20, 2009 removed both cross and tent and the faithful were attacked
and severely beaten.
This episode was followed days later by an even
more severe attack, with one priest ending up in coma.
There were
numerous arrests.
The story sparked anger among all Catholics in the
country.
Compounding the tension, were rumours of that the authorities were motivated in their decision by corruption and the possibility to use the land for a tourist resort.
Bishop and the faithful responded firmly.
On August 15, some 200 thousand Catholics gathered around the Bishop, Thai Hop in peaceful protest.
Now the provincial People's Committee had decided to grant land
to the diocese, not where the historic church is, but in the city
centre.