Don't disregard the health and lives of your fellow citizens for the sake of religion.

The role of religions in coexistence cannot be denied.

Vietnam's successes in combating the Covid-19 pandemic have been recognized and highly appreciated by the whole world. In this overall success, no one can deny the contributions of religious leaders, followers, and organizations. From the very beginning of the outbreak, the vast majority of people of all religions nationwide have "stood alongside the nation," actively and proactively participating in the fight against this dangerous "enemy." Leaders of religious organizations have actively encouraged and reminded their followers to strictly comply with government regulations and health sector guidelines on disease prevention and control. Most followers and religious institutions have performed well in organizing and participating in religious activities."5k" recommendationMaintaining social distancing, wearing masks, disinfecting, making health declarations, and adopting online forms of religious activities are all ways to help prevent the spread of the disease.

However, it must be pointed out that, while the entire Party, people, and army are resolutely engaging in the fight against the epidemic with the spirit of "fighting the epidemic like fighting an enemy" to achieve the "dual goal" of effectively preventing and containing the Covid-19 epidemic and developing the economy and society, there are still some religious leaders, followers, and organizations that ignore the directives and regulations of the Government, local authorities, and recommendations of specialized agencies, and do not strictly comply with the procedures for preventing and controlling the Covid-19 epidemic.

Religious and spiritual activities that involve large gatherings of people and do not comply with government regulations and recommendations from specialized agencies will be one of the leading risks leading to the spread of disease in the community.

Over the past few days, public opinion across the country has been abuzz about the activities ofRevival Missionary Churchat 415/8/4 Nguyen Van Cong Street, Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City. From the initial number of people discovered, to the present day...As of May 30, 2021, there were more than 60 confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2.

Authorities have sealed off the area that serves as a meeting place for the Renaissance Missionary Church (Ward 3, Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City). (Photo: Doc Lap/TNO)

Leaving aside the question of whether their activities were legal or illegal, considering only the aspects of epidemic prevention and control as investigated by authorities, this missionary group operated in violation of the government and health sector's regulations on COVID-19 prevention and control. This is the main reason for the spread of the disease to many people. The Go Vap District Police Investigation Agency has decided to initiate a criminal case for the crime of "Spreading a dangerous infectious disease to humans" related to the Renaissance Missionary Church to conduct an investigation and prosecution. This incident can be seen as a typical example of the situation where some religious followers and organizations have not cooperated with local Party committees, authorities, and functional agencies in epidemic prevention and control to protect the lives and health of the people.

It is against both law and morality.

Ignoring directives and regulations from the Prime Minister, local authorities, and recommendations from specialized agencies, and failing to strictly adhere to procedures for preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic, are not merely administrative violations. Article 8 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Infectious Diseases of 2007 clearly stipulates prohibited acts. Accordingly, the following acts are strictly prohibited: “Intentionally spreading infectious disease agents; Infected persons, suspected infectious disease carriers, and carriers of infectious disease agents performing jobs that easily spread infectious disease agents as prescribed by law; Concealing,Failure to declare or late declaration"Cases of infectious diseases as prescribed by law; Intentionally making false declarations or providing false information about infectious diseases; Discriminating against and disseminating negative images and information about people with infectious diseases; Failing to implement or implementing in a timely manner measures to prevent and control infectious diseases as prescribed by this Law; Failing to comply with measures to prevent and control infectious diseases as required by competent agencies and organizations." Clearly, the aforementioned actions of some religious leaders, followers, and organizations are violations of the law.

Not only are the actions of some religious leaders and followers illegal, but they also violate moral principles. The fundamental direction of religious development is "Living the Gospel within the nation," in the spirit of "Reverence for God, love for the country"; living a life that is "good in this world and beautiful in faith";... As citizens, and with the responsibility of leading religious institutions, religious leaders should clearly demonstrate their responsibility to the community. In particular, religious leaders must truly be exemplary leaders in propagating and mobilizing their parishioners to comply with government regulations and guidance from relevant agencies, actively working alongside the entire Party, people, and army in participating in epidemic prevention and control.

However, amidst the Covid-19 pandemic raging across the world and domestically, some religious leaders still organized religious ceremonies and prayers... This can be seen as an act of defiance of the law, showing disregard for the lives and health of the people, especially their parishioners. This not only causes concern and anxiety among the people in various localities, but also makes the parishioners themselves uneasy because, given the complex development of the pandemic, the risk of transmission from these gatherings for religious ceremonies and prayers is very high. Clearly, the indifference and irresponsibility of some religious leaders towards their parishioners is unacceptable.

Strengthen public awareness campaigns while strictly addressing violations.

To overcome this situation, on the one hand, we must promotepropaganda workSo that all citizens in general, and Catholic parishioners in particular, especially religious leaders with a voice in the community, understand clearly the viewpoints, policies, and laws of our Party and State, which always respect and guarantee the freedom of belief and religion of the people, but all activities must comply with the law and be for the benefit of the community, the nation, and the people.

The Ministry of Health's 5K message for preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.

Furthermore, through intensified propaganda, it is necessary to promptly provide official information about the complex and dangerous developments and urgent requirements of the Covid-19 prevention and control work, thereby raising awareness, consciousness, and a sense of responsibility among the general public and religious communities in particular. On the other hand, through various information channels, it is necessary to help people clearly understand the schemes and tactics of hostile and reactionary forces that are exploiting the pandemic prevention and control work to divide and undermine the national unity of our people. Only by clearly understanding these things can the general public, and religious communities in particular, strengthen their "resistance," avoid blindly following and actively participate in the struggle against false narratives and actions that exploit the pandemic situation to incite unrest and sabotage the Party, the State, and our people.

At the same time, it is necessary to resolutely and strictly deal with those who deliberately exploit religious activities to violate laws on disease prevention and control, thereby aiding the subversive plots and tactics of hostile forces. In handling these cases, it is necessary to act promptly but also carefully and cautiously to prevent malicious individuals from exploiting, inciting, and manipulating religious followers to violate the law and oppose the government; and to avoid distorting and misrepresenting the work of the Party, State, and people in preventing and controlling the Covid-19 pandemic.