Vietnam- Communists- still clash with Catholics- Government won't return Catholic Diplomatic Building- Take Catholic Artifacts

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; c.f. Catholic Culture; UCAN News; CNS 01/02/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Catholic Culture, basing an article on the United Catholic Asian News service reports more trouble in Vietnam.

Catholics in Vietnamese Ha Noi, were mobbed by Communist youth, as the Vietnamese Government confiscated a cross and statue of the Madonna- from a former nunciature, which the government had promised in February to return to the church. The symbols of faith were placed under a tree months ago after prayer.

The Catholics were praying outside of Iron Barriers erected by the communist government, outside the disputed building. Communism is considered an evil ideology by the Church. The building was surrounded by hundreds of police- apparently seeing the catholics as a threat- these were supported by communist youths- who forced the praying Catholics back. Prayer is a powerful weapon- but this shows just how far certain governments are prepared to go to protect their own interests.

A nunciature is the building in which a nuncio resides, the highest rank of diplomat from the Holy See- dispatched permanently to a Civil Authority.