Catholic people in Nghe An province are participating in patriotic emulation and building new rural areas.
With the guiding principles of "Reverence for God and Love for the Country" and "Living a Good Life and Upholding Moral Values" deeply ingrained in their hearts, Catholics in Nghe An have been diligently contributing their efforts and intellect to the development of their homeland. Every action and every contribution is a precious brick, helping to create an increasingly prosperous, beautiful, and civilized Nghe An.
The Catholic community in Nghe An province currently comprises over 50,840 households and more than 307,000 people, accounting for approximately 9% of the province's total population. They are organized into 14 deaneries and 136 parishes. Under the pastoral guidance of the Vinh Diocese Bishopric and the direct leadership of 2 bishops and 237 priests, the Catholic community remains united in building a new life in their communities, living virtuous and morally upright lives.
It can be said that the joint efforts and contributions of Catholic parishioners have truly brought the patriotic emulation movement into life, transforming it into practical actions, gradually fostering the increasingly strong development of parishes and sub-parishes, and actively contributing to the province's efforts in building new rural areas and developing socio-economic conditions.
Actively develop the economy and eradicate poverty.
The dynamism and creativity of Catholic communities in economic development and poverty reduction are becoming a bright spot in many localities. In implementing the movement for solidarity in economic development and poverty reduction, Catholic communities in Nghe An have continuously strived to overcome all difficulties. They have boldly transformed their economic structure and cropping patterns, while actively applying scientific and technological advancements to production in accordance with the policies of the Party and the State.
In various localities, many Catholic households participate in building large-scale model fields, generating high incomes and making a significant contribution to increasing annual production and productivity for the entire province. Many households within the Catholic community in the province are also boldly investing in commercial services and developing various trades, applying scientific and technical advancements, and choosing effective production and business models.
From these efforts, many exemplary Catholic producers have emerged. In Hoang Mai ward, many workers have stable jobs and incomes at Mr. Tran Van Quyen's garment factory. Not only has he improved his family's economic situation, but recently, Mr. Quyen has also created jobs for over 160 workers at his second facility in Quynh Anh commune. Mr. Quyen shared:"I only hope to contribute a small part to social welfare, helping people find jobs, and this is what makes me most satisfied. Now, seeing the workers happy and enthusiastic about their work, I am very pleased."
This is truly a vivid testament to the dynamic, creative spirit and sense of community responsibility of the Catholics in Nghe An, making positive contributions to the construction of new rural areas and civilized urban areas. Mr. Ho Van Quang, Head of Village 4, Quynh Anh Commune, Nghe An Province, happily stated:"The company is very concerned about the lives of the villagers. Besides creating jobs for many people, the company enthusiastically supports all village activities, from building concrete roads and irrigation canals to planting trees. Recently, the company director donated 200 million VND to the village for the construction of new rural roads."
With positive responses and high levels of consensus, Catholics in various localities have joined forces with Party committees and government agencies at all levels to rapidly reduce the poverty rate and increase the number of well-off and wealthy households.
The percentage of well-off and wealthy households among the Catholic community increased from 41.2% in 2020 to 52.4% in 2024; the percentage of poor households decreased from 4.2% in 2020 to 2.9% in 2024.
Building new rural areas, building a cultural life.
Along with the movement for economic development and poverty reduction, parishes and religious communities in the province have actively responded to the movement for building new rural areas and civilized urban areas launched by the Fatherland Front Committees at all levels. In this movement, priests, parish pastoral councils, and the Catholic community in various localities have actively participated, creating a vibrant atmosphere of competition and contributing to the outstanding achievements of the new rural development movement in their localities.
In Nam Dan commune, thanks to the propaganda and mobilization efforts of the Fatherland Front Committees at all levels, and especially the attention of the priests, parishes, and Catholic communities, the people have actively contributed labor and resources to complete many criteria for new rural development and build a cultural life. Many Catholic families have become a core force participating in patriotic emulation movements and campaigns in the locality, setting a good example in complying with the Party's guidelines and policies and the laws of the State. In the new rural development movement, the people in the commune contributed over 130 billion VND and voluntarily donated 1,400 square meters of land.2land, demolition of 830m2boundary wall. To date, the percentage of culturally exemplary families in the commune has reached over 90%; all 3 Catholic hamlets have achieved the title of culturally exemplary hamlet.
The New Rural Development program has brought joy to the people as their quality of life has improved, both materially and spiritually. Thanks to the active contributions of the Catholic community, the appearance of their homeland is becoming increasingly beautiful and clean.
Mr. Tran Van Muoi, Chairman of the Pastoral Council of Tan Nghia parish, Nam Dan commune, said:"The pastoral council, in coordination with the village head and the Fatherland Front, went to each family to campaign. For families who still had concerns, we had to meet with them to explain things, to help them understand and listen. After that, they felt it was right, and they participated very actively and unitedly."
The percentage of Catholic households achieving the title of "Culturally Exemplary Family" is increasing. In 2020, there were 42,621 households, reaching 69.8%, and by 2024, this number is expected to reach 44,406 households, an increase to 74.7%, reflecting a positive shift in the awareness and actions of the Catholic community.
Participating in government building and maintaining security and order.
Over the past period, the Catholic community in the province has actively participated in the nationwide movement to protect national security, viewing it as an important task closely linked to their civic responsibility.
The parishioners consistently demonstrate vigilance, actively participate in crime prevention and control, combat social evils, and strictly adhere to the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's laws and regulations, and legal documents related to beliefs and religions. The "All People Protect National Security" movement has been actively embraced and effectively implemented by many parishes and sub-parishes through exemplary models such as: "Peaceful Parish, Culturally Advanced Family," "Peaceful Parish/Sub-parish Free from Crime and Social Evils," "Sub-parish Free from Law Violators and Social Evils," "Bright, Green, Clean, Beautiful, and Safe Residential Area," and "Self-Managed Road for Security and Order"... Total The province currently has over 300 "Peaceful Parish" models, 400 Self-Governing Groups, and 200 Security and Order Self-Governing Boards.
The Bot Da parish in Do Luong commune is one of many parishes and sub-parishes in Nghe An province that have built a peaceful life, ensured basic security, and avoided social vices through models of peaceful parishes and sub-parishes; models of peaceful and civilized religious communities. Through the implementation of the "Peaceful Sub-Parish" model, the unity between Catholics and non-Catholics has been strengthened, providing further motivation for parishioners to compete in economic and social development and build prosperous families. In many parishes, sub-parishes, and residential areas, the movement to build safe residential areas free from crime and social vices continues to be promoted, making a significant contribution to maintaining security and order, promoting socio-economic development, and building new rural areas.
Mr. Phung Trong Sang, an exemplary parishioner in Bot Da Parish, Do Luong Commune, affirmed:"If you want to do business and succeed, the security and order in the area must be safe and good. If there are always problems, who would have the mindset to produce or do business? Therefore, I think the role of the parish, as well as the Fatherland Front and the government, is very important so that people can feel secure in building their villages, hamlets, and homeland."
Participate in social welfare and humanitarian charitable activities.
Besides building harmonious families, fostering community spirit, and creating peaceful parishes and religious communities, religious leaders and parishioners in Nghe An province also actively participate in activities of gratitude, reciprocity, and humanitarian charity.
Phu Xuan Parish in Quynh Tam commune has 517 households with nearly 2,400 parishioners. Upholding the tradition of solidarity and compassion of our nation and the spirit of "practicing charity is proclaiming the Gospel," the priests, philanthropists, and the entire community have responded to social campaigns, fulfilling the call of the Church, actively supporting both materially and spiritually, contributing to alleviating suffering, warming the hearts of many unfortunate lives, and multiplying hope for many families. Mr. Tran Van Quang - Chairman of the Pastoral Council of Phu Xuan Parish, Quynh Tam commune, shared:"The parish and the priest have created all the conditions to help poor households, and together with the local government, they have called for and supported the construction of charitable houses for families in need and those suffering from illness. From that spirit of mutual support and compassion, the people have worked together to overcome poverty."
Responding to social campaigns and the call of the Church, the Catholic community has made practical contributions both materially and spiritually, helping to share difficulties, support those in unfortunate circumstances, and spread the spirit of compassion in the community. They have coordinated with local authorities to participate in the construction and renovation of many martyrs' cemeteries, supported the construction of thousands of houses of gratitude and solidarity; and contributed tens of thousands of man-days of labor, tens of tons of rice, and many other supplies and goods with a total value of 24.372 billion VND.
In the annual "Tet for the Poor" program, the Xa Doai Diocese and its parishes and sub-parishes organize charitable and humanitarian activities such as donating rice, banh chung (traditional Vietnamese rice cakes), warm blankets, clothes, and money to poor households, lonely elderly people, and disabled people to celebrate Tet and welcome the New Year... The total amount contributed and supported by Catholic parishioners is 8.866 billion VND.
The movement "All people unite to build new rural areas, modern cities, and live a good and virtuous life," with its eight competitive contents launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, has profound political, economic, cultural, and social significance. The contributions and status of Catholics in Nghe An are increasingly enhanced within the national community, contributing to the country's renewal towards the goal of "a prosperous people, a strong nation, democracy, fairness, and civilization."
Mr. Phan Sy Cuong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province, affirmed: Catholic compatriots in the province have demonstrated patriotism, the strength of national unity, lived virtuous lives, actively participated in social movements, developed the economy, and ensured security and order. Many good practices, new models, and exemplary examples have emerged and spread. Together with the political system and all strata of the people, they have effectively implemented emulation movements and campaigns throughout the province. In the future, it is hoped that exemplary individuals among the Catholic community will continue to uphold the tradition of unity, patriotism, reverence for God, and exemplary conduct in implementing emulation movements, developing production and business, building cultural life, and ensuring security and order, so that together with the political system and all strata of the people, Nghe An province will become increasingly developed and prosperous.
Building upon the patriotic traditions and national unity of the Catholic community, we continue to awaken and promote the patriotic spirit and sense of responsibility towards the Fatherland and the nation in every Catholic. Entering a new phase, in the context of the country's continued comprehensive development towards industrialization, modernization, and deep international integration, the movement "All people unite to build new rural areas, civilized urban areas, and live a good and virtuous life" in Nghe An province continues to be elevated to a new level, in line with the requirements of the đổi mới (renovation) period and the nation's resurgence.
Sacred According to Joseph Phan Van Thang, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of Nghe An province: In the current period of reform, the Catholic Solidarity Committee will be a bridge between Catholic compatriots and all levels of government, mobilizing parishioners to respect the policies and laws and correctly implement the resolutions and decrees issued. Following the Lord's teachings of charity and love, Catholics will work together with their fellow citizens in the province to promote the spirit of mutual support, compassion, and harmony between Catholics and non-Catholics, thereby striving to contribute to beautifying their homeland and province.
