Resolve religious activity needs in accordance with legal regulations

On the morning of July 29, Nghe An Provincial People's Committee held a conference to review the state management of religion in the first 6 months of the year and deploy tasks for the last 6 months of 2019. Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Member of the Provincial Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee; Luu Cong Vinh - Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, Head of the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee chaired the conference. Photo: Pham Bang

In the first 6 months of the year, religious activities in the province were basically stable, purely religious, in compliance with the law, in accordance with the charter and regulations. Although state management of religious activities was favorable, it was still difficult to address the needs of religious activities and to handle religious violations of the law, and to take advantage of religion to sabotage the regime.

Faced with that reality, the Provincial Party Committee and the Provincial Steering Committee 68 continue to regularly pay attention to leading and directing religious work, and the Provincial People's Committee has directed and operated in a more focused and drastic manner. The province has issued documents guiding policies, solutions, administrative reforms and coordination in resolving religious issues and incidents in a suitable and specific manner.

Thereby, basic religious needs are resolved quickly and promptly, ensuring compliance with legal policies and reality, making organizations, dignitaries, officials, and religious followers feel secure, trust the government, and participate in local movements better.

Mr. Luu Cong Vinh - Deputy Director of the Department of Home Affairs, Head of the Provincial Religious Committee reported on the results of state management of religion in the first 6 months of the year. Photo: Pham Bang

Religious activities that violate the law and take advantage of religion to oppose the State continue to be prevented, handled, and stopped resolutely, systematically, and effectively, so that the situation in religious areas is stable, security and order are ensured, major complications and religious hotspots do not occur, and the socio-economic development of the province is well served.

However, the Provincial People's Committee also assessed that some priests still deliberately do not comply with the law in religious activities, especially in handling violations; some still have extreme oppositional attitudes, negatively affecting the security and order situation, and the discipline of the law, but the results of the struggle are low. Some localities have not paid due attention to religious work, lack determination, and are confused in detecting, preventing, and handling violations.

Catholic and non-Catholic people in Hung Son commune (Anh Son) join hands to build roads. Photo: Thai Hien

It is forecasted that in the coming time, the situation of religious activities in the area will be basically stable but there are still potential complications and difficulties in state management in this field. Therefore, the Provincial People's Committee requests all sectors and levels to thoroughly grasp and seriously implement the Party's policies, the State's laws, and directive documents on resolving religious issues in the area.

In his speech, Mr. Le Hong Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested all levels and sectors to continue to effectively carry out the propaganda and dissemination of legal policies on religion; focus on resolving the needs of religious activities, especially land, construction of religious works, separation of affiliated religious organizations... in accordance with legal regulations and in accordance with reality. Do not let the situation of slow resolution cause frustration for officials and followers.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested all levels and sectors to strengthen state management, quickly resolve religious activities' needs in accordance with legal regulations and actual situation. Photo: Pham Bang

Sectors and levels continue to strengthen state management of the activities of new religions, strange religions, and "new religious phenomena"; propagate and mobilize to reduce the number of participants and strictly handle leaders who organize illegal activities.

In addition, effectively prevent, combat, and attack reactionary organizations and individuals, focusing on Viet Tan reactionary individuals and extremist dignitaries inside and outside Vinh diocese.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 5 collectives and 7 individuals with outstanding achievements in state management of religion in the first 6 months of 2019.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit from the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee to 5 collectives. Photo: Pham Bang