B
Benedict108
Guest
Hanoi, Vietnam, Apr 28, 2009 / 01:11 am (CNA).- Vietnamese state media have “fiercely attacked” two Redemptorist priests, accusing them of critically damaging national unity and blocking the national construction and development process. In what some see as a preparation for a government crackdown, the media are accusing the priests of the capital crime of plotting to overthrow the Communist regime. The tactic is commonly practiced to target opponents whose leadership among ordinary citizens is perceived as a threat to the current regime, Fr. J.B. An Dang tells CNA.
While property ownership disputes between the Catholic Church and the Vietnamese Government have caused tension in recent years, the controversy has expanded to include the government’s bauxite mining plans.
On Sunday the New Hanoi newspaper, run by the Party Committee of Hanoi City, began journalistic attacks against Thai Ha Church. The newspaper took aim at Fr. Peter Nguyen Van Khai, spokesman of Thai Ha Redemptorist Monastery.
The paper denounced him for “instigating parishioners in order to cause divisions, inciting riots, falsely accusing the government, disrespecting the nation, breaking and ridiculing the law and instigating others to violate it.”
The priest was also criticized for organizing a candlelight prayer vigil on Saturday night to protest a construction project at a lakeside which belonged to Thai Ha parish.
Full text:catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15801
While property ownership disputes between the Catholic Church and the Vietnamese Government have caused tension in recent years, the controversy has expanded to include the government’s bauxite mining plans.
On Sunday the New Hanoi newspaper, run by the Party Committee of Hanoi City, began journalistic attacks against Thai Ha Church. The newspaper took aim at Fr. Peter Nguyen Van Khai, spokesman of Thai Ha Redemptorist Monastery.
The paper denounced him for “instigating parishioners in order to cause divisions, inciting riots, falsely accusing the government, disrespecting the nation, breaking and ridiculing the law and instigating others to violate it.”
The priest was also criticized for organizing a candlelight prayer vigil on Saturday night to protest a construction project at a lakeside which belonged to Thai Ha parish.
Full text:catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15801