| Show IN THE WORLD Progress and struggles for Catholics C Vietnam Ellen Washington Post YEN KHANH The ability to celebrate Mass openly demonstrates that the Roman Catholic Church in Vietnam is freer than it was in 1975 when its activities were severely severely severe severe- severely ly proscribed after the communists took control of the unified country Rev Joseph Tran Van Khoa recalls conducting Mass 17 years ago in a small room in the back of a achurch achurch achurch church with 20 or so people The police questioned him monthly he said to ensure he did not hold services openly Life for the Catholic Church is a lot easier easier easier ier now said Khoa 44 But I know that we have a really long way to go Vietnam has Southeast Asias Asia's second- second largest Roman Catholic population after the Philippines with an estimated 5 million t to 8 million followers But the government still requires consultation on the appointment of bishops and the selection of candidates candidate forthe for forthe forthe the priesthood I a iI tE S wf en eno o b D. D a aS a'S r C Co o C S 'S ti c c en I ra 1 A choir rehearses at the century cathedral in Phat Diem the center of Catholicism in Vietnam The ability to celebrate Mass openly is a long longway longway longway way from 1975 when the Catholic Church was severely proscribed under communists control The Church has more freedom than some other religions but one priest says we have a really long way to go In February Prime Minister Ph Phan an Van Khai issued what is called an instruction allowing house churches to operate legally if they renounced connections to alleged government anti-government groups The government also issued a decree to ensure that local officials officials officials enforce the 2004 ban on forced renunciations renunciations renunciations of faith U US U.S. S officials welcomed the moves but said Vietnam must follow through on the new rules before the designation which could lead to sanctions is lifted Ngo Yen Thi chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs said that although the state must approve all bishop appointments it hasn't objected to any of the Vatican's last seven nominations The government is looking into establishing official relations with the Vatican and a government delegation will go to Rome in late June he said The government government government gov gov- has made a big effort to expand church autonomy and will continue for example to facilitate the building of churches he said The Catholic religion is a global trend he said So I have faith that one day the church will be free in Vietnam |
