Catholics show will in national unity
Catholics were urged to uphold the
spirit of “Living the gospel among the nation” in 2011, and join in
national construction, especially for the sake of the poor, at a meeting
in Hanoi on March 15.
Priest Phan Khac Tu,
Vice President and General Secretary of the Committee for Solidarity of
Vietnamese Catholics, highlighted Catholic patriotic movements in 2010
at the meeting of the Committee’s expanded presidium. He said Catholics
joined the entire nation in achieving socio-economic targets for
prosperous people, a strong nation and a democratic, equal and civilised
society.
A number of bright examples in
production, business and poverty reduction, especially in charity, have
emerged from the Catholic patriotic movements.
Almost all Catholics have strictly followed the Party and State
guidelines and policies, contributing to the fight against social evils
and keeping socio-political stability, the priest said.
The Catholic community raised almost 71.4 billion VND (roughly 3.5
million USD) for the poor, Agent Orange/dioxin victims, disabled and
orphaned children, helpless elderly people and national disaster victims
last year.
The committee has set a target to
speed up a movement named, “The entire nation unites in building
residential quarters of quality cultural lifestyle, living the gospel
among the nation”.
Catholics were urged to take
part in all movements launched by the Vietnam Fatherland Front, focusing
on the movement, “The Day for the Poor”.
The
Committee pledged to work with the Vietnam Fatherland Front in sending
the best candidates for the elections of the National Assembly, the 13
th term, and the People’s Councils of the 2011-16 tenure at all
levels./.