What does Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop think about the illegal actions of some parishioners?
Looking at the journey of study and struggle of the Bishop of Vinh Diocese, we can clearly see that. From 1965-1972, after joining the Vietnamese Dominican Order
After being ordained a Dominican priest on August 8, 1972, he continued his studies in Switzerland, became a member of the Vietnamese Association in Switzerland, received a doctorate in Philosophy (University of Fribourg in 1978), continued to study political and business at Zeneve (Switzerland), then received a doctorate in Theology (Faculty of Theology in Sao PaoLo - Brazil). From 1996-2003, he was a Professor at the University of St. Thomas, Angelicum, Rome (Italy). In 2004, he was the Director of Academic Affairs of the Dominican Province and a member of the Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith. In 2006, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam
He has collaborated with the Institute of Religion, Institute of Philosophy, University of Social Sciences and Humanities, Ho Chi Minh City National University. He is also an active participant in charity activities through the establishment of the Faith & Culture Group, Mai Khoi charity clinic to support disabled children and HIV-AIDS patients.
With profound knowledge and fluency in three foreign languages, French, Swiss, and Latin, on May 13, 2010, Father Phaolo Nguyen Thai Hop was appointed by the Vatican and approved by the Vietnamese government as the Bishop of Vinh diocese located in Xa Doai, Nghi Dien commune, Nghi Loc district, replacing Bishop Phaolo Maria Cao Dinh Thuyen who resigned. From 2010 to present, he has been the Chairman of the Justice and Peace Committee of the Vietnamese Bishops' Council.
In his speech on the day of returning to Vinh diocese (May 27, 2010), he also expressed his heartfelt words to his homeland Nghe An: "Instead of welcoming a new Bishop, His Excellency, priests, monks, nuns and brothers and sisters are opening their arms to welcome a son of Nghe An who has been away from his homeland for 56 years, now returning to live and die in his motherland. During the long years away from home, although my body had to be far away from home, my soul still yearns for the place where I was born and raised", "Perhaps I am one of the sons of Nghe An who had to go the farthest from home and many times had to choose a foreign land as my second homeland. There were times when I thought I had no chance to return to my fatherland. Unexpectedly, I was suddenly able to return to live and serve in my homeland at the end of my life. I thank God, thank the Holy See, thank the Diocese as well as the government for creating this favorable opportunity".The new bishop affirmed“At the request of the Holy See, I accepted to return here as a son of the homeland returning to his roots, as blood flows back to the heart.”.This new bishop also earnestly called for“Dear Fathers, dear monks, male and female religious and all brothers and sisters, please cooperate with me so that we can serve the Diocese as well as our homeland and country even more."
However, in reality, since Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop became the “shepherd” in 2010, Vinh Diocese has been plagued by a series of systematic violations of the law. This has affected both the church and the government, causing political instability and dividing the solidarity between Catholics and non-Catholics.
These are the cases: Illegal encroachment, land transfer, illegal construction in Ngoc Long Parish, Cong Thanh Commune - Yen Thanh District; Lang Rao Parish, Nghi Huong Commune - Tan Ky District; Lap Thach Parish, Nghi Thach Commune - Nghi Loc District, Yen Trach Parish, Thu Thuy Ward (Cua Lo Town). Organizing ceremonies outside of worship facilities in violation of the Religious Ordinance in Yen Khe Commune - Con Cuong District; Nghia Xuan Commune - Quy Hop District; Chau Binh Commune - Quy Chau District. Disturbing public order, beating and illegally arresting people in Yen Khe Commune - Con Cuong District; My Yen Parish, Nghi Phuong Commune (Nghi Loc).
In the separation and establishment of parishes and parishes, although the request has just been submitted and is being considered by the authorities at all levels or has not been submitted yet, the church has arbitrarily established parishes and parishes. Not only that, it has also organized illegal religious activities, or organized religious activities in the private homes of parishioners, which has happened in the districts of Tan Ky, Nghia Dan, Con Cuong, Quy Hop, Quy Chau...
Faced with the above situation, on September 17, 2011, the People's Committee of Nghe An province issued an official dispatch No. 5483/UBND-NC to Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop, specifically informing him about religious activities that violated the law in the past time, stating clearly: In the past year alone, in the province, there have been 23 cases of religious violations of the law and cases related to parishioners, including 10 cases of reclaiming land, illegal construction; resisting people on duty, destroying property (1 case); gathering crowds to file complaints, blocking vehicles (2 cases)...
At the same time, Party committees, authorities, and functional agencies have focused on resolving the issues in accordance with the law, on the basis of respecting the freedom and belief of the people. They have met and discussed with parish priests and officials to propose coordination with the government in resolving the above issues to stabilize the situation. However, some parish priests have shown an uncooperative attitude with the government in resolving the issues. They also preached false contents, causing parishioners to misunderstand the state's policies and guidelines; inciting parishioners to cause trouble and oppose the government. Therefore, up to now, many cases have not been completely resolved, and new cases have even arisen that are becoming more and more complicated.
Mr. Nguyen Thai Hop left the parishioners of Nghi Phuong commune (Nghi Loc) alone in the disturbance and riot that occurred on September 3 and 4.Typically, the incident that occurred in Trai Gao parish, My Yen parish, Nghi Phuong commune, Nghi Loc district, lasted for a long time. The climax was the disturbances and riots on September 3 and 4, 2013, which were reported by Nghe An Electronic Newspaper. It should be added that, during the chaos, Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop did not cooperate with the authorities and let the newly appointed auxiliary bishop, Peter Nguyen Van Vien, a few hours earlier, authorize Father Peter Nguyen Xuan Quy, parish priest of Xuan My, to discuss with the authorities and advise the people to leave.
Has Mr. Nguyen Thai Hop fulfilled his duties and responsibilities since taking office as Bishop of Vinh Diocese? (in photo: Mr. Nguyen Thai Hop presided over the ordination mass of Auxiliary Bishop Nguyen Van Vien)
From the above reality, public opinion cannot help but question whether Bishop Nguyen Thai Hop has truly fulfilled his responsibility and duty as a "shepherd" to the diocese and served his homeland Nghe An as he said in his speech on his return to Vinh diocese? At the same time, is what he has shown and is showing worthy of the role of Chairman of the Justice and Peace Committee of the Vietnamese Bishops' Council?
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