Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Long Khan (Agenzia Fides) – The Church in Vietnam will be able to continue its charitable activity and aid programs and social development in a more organized manner, with personnel, programs, better coordination, and clearer goals, as a result of the “re-birth” of Caritas Vietnam, after a parenthetical pause of 32 years.
The rebirth of Caritas in Vietnam was ratified in a convention recently celebrated in the Pastoral Center in Long Khan. The event was attended by five Vietnamese Bishops, in the presence of nearly 100 people committed to charitable service, including priests, religious, and laity who rejoiced at the news. Also present for the celebration were representatives of Caritas Internationalis: Monsignor Yvon Amborse, President of Caritas Asia and Monsignor Robert Vitillo, one of its Vice-Presidents.
Monsignor Vitillo reminded those present of the vision held by Pope Benedict XVI, expressed in his encyclical letter Deus Caritas Est, especially in regards to the work of the charitable organizations. In a dialogue with Agenzia Fides, Monsignor Vitillo expressed his joy and satisfaction, saying: “We will accompany the Church in Vietnam in carrying out its social and pastoral services.”
“We thank God for the rebirth of Caritas Vietnam, which will certainly be an inspiration to the local Church in its social and charitable activity,” said Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Dalat, President of the Vietnamese Catholic Bishops' Conference, during the celebration. “All of Caritas' activity will be aimed at revealing the love of God to the Vietnamese people,” he said.
The Church also expressed its gratitude to the Government for agreeing to the institution of the new association, and said that they hoped that the civil authorities would created positive conditions so that Caritas Vietnam would be able to work at the service of the poorest of the poor in the population.
Among the country's most urgent needs, the Church mentioned the education of the youth from the poorest families, healthcare for women and children, material aid for the poor and marginalized, as well as for refugees and victims of natural disasters. Among Vietnam's people there are also orphans, children living on the street, prostitutes, disabled, mentally ill, leppers, AIDS victims, all of whom Caritas will be serving.
Caritas Vietnam, the convention clarified, will focus on development programs, especially for rural populations and there will be a local office in each diocese and parish, as is established in all the other nations where Caritas is present.
The Government Committee for Religious Affairs approved Caritas with a letter dated July 2, 2008. The Church has immediately begun to reorganize the charitable interventions already in action and present on a local level in Catholic communities. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/10/2008)
