BANGKOK (UCAN): Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi, Vietnam, and nine priests were concelebrating a Mass at Vu Ban Church in the Lac Son district of Hoa Binh province, on February 20, when two local officials suddenly rushed to the sanctuary during the liturgy of the Eucharist and demanded those gathered to disperse, the Archdiocese of Hanoi said in a report.
It said the Mass was interrupted for some minutes and resumed after some priests and laypeople struggled to ask the officials to leave the church.
A two-minute video clip posted by one of the Massgoers showed that the officials—one of them in a facemask, motorcycle helmet and raincoat—shouted loudly and pointed at the priests. They took the microphone on the lectern, ordering people to “break up. If not, we will make reports and take appropriate measures.”
Some priests and lay leaders prevented them from approaching the altar and Archbishop Vu before asking them to leave the sanctuary while other priests were receiving the Eucharist and people said prayers and sang hymns.
…two local officials suddenly rushed to the sanctuary during the liturgy of the Eucharist and demanded those gathered to disperse, the Archdiocese of Hanoi said in a report
Locals identified one of the officials as the party chief of Vu Ban town. The reason behind the incident has not been revealed, but many people expressed strong disapproval of the two officials calling it an illegal act, harassment and an unacceptable insult to religion.
They said the authorities showed total disrespect for religious places and should have waited until the end of the Mass and worked with priests and congregation, as liturgical services are sacred.
Vu Ban Parish, 120 kilometres from Hanoi, has 450 parishioners served by Father Francis Xavier Tran Van Lien, who was assigned in December 2020.
The long-established parish had all its facilities confiscated in 1954 when communists took control of northern Vietnam and had almost no religious activities for decades after. In recent years, some priests have gathered and offered pastoral care to local people and built facilities.
The Mass was part of a two-day pastoral visit by Archbishop Vu to remote parishes in the mountainous province. The archbishop is scheduled to visit remote parishes and subparishes on the third Sunday of the month during 2022, designated as a year of evangelisation by the archdiocese.
In his homilies, the 61-year-old archbishop has called on people to bravely bear witness to God, who is compassionate and merciful, in their places and treat all people, including those who hate them with loving kindness.
He visited two parishes and three subparishes in the province. He also offered copies of the catechism and images of Mother Mary to the local congregations.
The Archdiocese of Hanoi provides pastoral care for 11 parishes in Hoa Binh province.
