Faith and civic duty

(Baonghean.vn) - These days in February, Nghe An is once again abuzz with the case of a number of parishioners who, following the instigation of priest Nguyen Dinh Thuc, Parish Priest of Song Ngoc - Quynh Luu, gathered and demanded to go to Ha Tinh to sue Formosa Company for environmental pollution.

» Priest Nguyen Dinh Thuc incites parishioners

The incident has caused insecurity and disorder, negatively affecting the people's production life and the dignity of the law. At the same time, it also goes against the direction and doctrine of Catholicism, contrary to the duties and responsibilities of a religious dignitary, seriously affecting the image of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, causing genuine believers to feel sad.

Taking advantage of complaints to incite gatherings and disrupt public order is a violation of the law.

Whether it is Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam… all religions are worthy of respect. Regardless of the path or destination, living well and being kind is still the motto of religious people. The commandments of God, Buddha, or the Saints all want people not to do evil, not to incite others to do evil, to stay away from sin, to limit greed, anger, ignorance, and to follow the bright path that the Saviors have chosen and shown to humanity.

No one can use religion as an excuse to do things that go against common sense. Because before becoming a religious follower, we are a citizen. And a citizen must live according to the law. That is also a kind of Dao: Dao of being a citizen!

In any institution, an administrative decision or policy is always aimed at the interests of the majority. That said, it does not mean that it satisfies everyone. Therefore, the mechanism for complaints and denunciations is the way the State gives citizens the right to express their opinions and wishes. Specifically, here are questions and complaints about the Formosa Steel Corporation discharging waste that pollutes the marine environment, seriously affecting people's lives. Of course, citizens' complaints and denunciations must be conducted in accordance with the procedures and regulations of the law.

Formosa's pollution is real. Handling this incident is the responsibility of the Government, relevant ministries and local authorities. In fact, this issue has been and is being directed to be resolved. People in the four provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien - Hue who directly suffered damage caused by the Formosa environmental incident have been and will continue to receive compensation and support to restore production and stabilize their lives. On what basis did priest Nguyen Dinh Thuc incite Quynh Luu parishioners to file a lawsuit, when he could not prove the damage that parishioners in his parish had to suffer from this environmental incident?

Fish return to bustling Lach Quen port. Photo archive

The joy of fishermen in Quynh Luu coastal area when they hit the "sea luck". Photo: VH

Not only those with knowledge and sober thinking, but also those involved, when seeing the images of what they have done posted in newspapers, television, and social networks, cannot help but feel troubled and troubled. The simple farmers and fishermen who throw stones, curse loudly, regardless of everything, must have asked themselves: why were they so rash and agitated? Was what they did in accordance with the religion they followed? Was it in accordance with the teachings and sacrifices of the Supreme Being?

“Living a good life, behaving well” inherits the quintessence of the teachings and philosophies of religions and Vietnamese law, which is deeply humane when it promotes love for people, goodness, and harmony to build a good society. Obeying the law is also a way of practicing religion for people to avoid mistakes and crimes, and move towards goodness, so that the four words “Living a good life, behaving well” are multiplied in meaning. Acting rashly, being led by bad people, and violating the law are not the spirit of religion.

Nghi Van parishioners (Nghi Loc) voluntarily donate land for rural traffic. Photo: Hong Vinh

Living and working according to the Constitution and the law means living for Life, for Religion, for the harmony between people of religious faith and people of social responsibility. Any act of violating the law must suffer the consequences and be dealt with fairly by the law, regardless of who that person is.

Every dispute can be resolved, every mistake can be forgiven. Because the Vietnamese people have a very humane tradition of “hitting the one who runs away, no one hits the one who runs back”. The boundless strength of the nation is the spirit of solidarity. But solidarity does not mean complicity, covering up wrongdoings.

“Living the Gospel in the heart of the Nation” is the consistent motto of religious people. This noble motto can only become a reality when each parishioner is also a good citizen. Because besides religious belief, belief in the law is the duty of every citizen!

Van Thieng