NHA TRANG (UCAN): More than 40 priests in charge of ministries for migrants in dioceses and for religious congregations attended a major national conference at the Bishop’s House in Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, on the care of migrant workers and people on the move, held from September 27 to 29.
Bishop Louis Nguyen Anh Tuan of Ha Tinh, head of the Vietnamese bishops’ Commission for Migrants, said all pastors should take on the responsibility of accompanying and taking care these groups, especially vulnerable children and women.
Bishop Nguyen reminded participants that tending to migrants and immigrants is a major pastoral priority of the Church.
The conference was an opportunity for participants to share their practical experiences in offering pastoral care, draw useful lessons, give pastoral suggestions to help one another, and show communion with one another, the bishop said.
Father Joseph Dao Nguyen Vu, secretary of the bishops’ migrant commission, said priests need to be in agreement with one another on pastoral issues so that they can create the best conditions for domestic migrants to live out their faith and serve Vietnamese workers in other countries well.
“Migrant ministry comes from the heart of pastors, if we are generous and compassionate enough, all problems will be dealt with,” Father Dao said.
During the meeting, participants re-evaluated pastoral guidelines for migrants for local priests to carry out their ministry and support migrants to allow them to practice their faith properly.
Migrant ministry comes from the heart of pastors, if we are generous and compassionate enough, all problems will be dealt with
Father Joseph Dao Nguyen Vu
The guidelines, which have been tested by local dioceses since 2017, are expected to be formally approved by the Vietnamese bishops in the coming days.
Participants listened to talks about challenges, problems, and hopes from migrants, and Church regulations on marriage. They also met online with representatives of Vietnamese immigrants in Japan, Malaysia, South Korea, and Thailand.
Father Peter Nguyen Doai, chancellor of the Diocese of Ha Tinh, announced that Bishop Nguyen plans to hold a gathering for Vietnamese migrants in Thailand on October 16. The bishop will meet and celebrate a special Mass for them at the Chair of St. Peter Church in Bangkok.
Father Nguyen said the gathering will be a good opportunity for Vietnamese Catholics who live, work and study in Thailand to interact and support one another in spiritual and material life.
He said the event will offer a good opportunity to express solidarity, unity, and love to bear witness to the Good News among challenges in their life.
Tens of thousands of Vietnamese migrants live and work in Thailand, most of them from the northern provinces of Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Quang Binh, and Thanh Hoa.
