The Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy See opened its 2012 Congress on December 5 in the southern province of Tay Ninh. Its aim is to review operations during the last five years and discuss plan for the next five years.

Cardinal Thuong Tam Thanh, head of the Executive Council of Cao Dai Church highlighted that the Church’s religious practice in the last year has been on the right track, promoting solidarity in society.

The Church’s operations have focused on the areas of order and discipline, and gained a number of achievements.

It has set up a representative board in 28 of the 39 provinces it is present, increasing the number of Cao Dai officials. Over the last five years, the Church has raised more than 70 billion VND for charity, he said.

Participants at the congress agreed on the orientations for 2012-2017. They focused on strengthening internal solidarity as well as with other social organisations, participating in charitable and social activities, leading followers to comply with State law, while consolidating the orgainsation of the Church from central to local levels, operating for the benefit of both religion and the nation.

Addressing the congress, Pham Dung, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Head of the Government Religious Affairs Commission, spoke highly of the role that Cao Dai dignitaries and followers have in society, highlighting their charitable activities.

The Cao Dai religion has contributed to diversifying the national cultural identity, he said, adding that the Church should practise the religion in close attachment to the nation, contribute to national socio-economic and cultural development.

On the occasion, the Vietnam Fatherland Front presented the Great National Unity Order to several Cao Dai officials in recognition of their contributions to society and national solidarity.

Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy See is one of the nine recognised Cao Dai sects in Vietnam.

Founded in 1926 in Tay Ninh Province, the Cao Dai religion worships the Divine Eye, known as the eye of heaven and a symbol of the supreme being of the Cao Dai religion. Cao Dai’s doctrine honours the Divine and the miraculous quality of supreme spirits, and considers them as the means for human beings to unify with God.-VNA