Catholics in Vinh City unite and join hands to develop socio-economy

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of September 2, the Vinh City Fatherland Front Committee organized the 7th Congress of Vinh City Catholics for National Construction and Defense, term 2017 - 2022.

Attending the congress were priest Nguyen Dang Dien - Member of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, Chairman of the Nghe An Catholic Solidarity Committee; city leaders and 80 delegates with the most outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movement among Catholics in Vinh City.

Delegates perform the flag-saluting ceremony at the congress. Photo: Canh Nam

The Catholic community of Vinh City currently has 2,932 households with 11,976 people (accounting for 3.29% of the city's total population).operating in 13 parishes in 140/373 blocks and hamlets of 22/25 wards and communes (of which 10 blocks and hamlets are all-Catholic units).

Parishioners have proactively overcome difficulties, found many ways to do business, built many models in agriculture for high economic efficiency, typically the parishes of My Hau, Phan Thon, Trung My, Yen Due...; The community currently has nearly 1,000 households practicing small-scale industry, trade and services, an increase of more than 300 households compared to the beginning of the previous term (2012), many families have established businesses creating jobs for many workers.

A welcoming performance by the Nghi Phu parishioners' art troupe. Photo: Canh Nam

In particular, in the movement to build new rural areas and civilized urban areas in the past 5 years, Vinh City parishioners have contributed nearly 7.1 billion VND, donated nearly 8,000 m2 of land, built nearly 5,000 m of concrete roads, built cultural institutions, contributing to promptly serving the needs of production development and people's daily life, typically the parishes of Trung My, My Hau, Vinh My, Vinh Giang...

Thanks to that, the lives of Catholics have gradually improved. If in 2012 the number of well-off and rich households was only 972, now it has increased to 1,491 households (accounting for 50%) and conversely the number of poor households has decreased to 45 households (accounting for 1.53%).

Mr. Nguyen Van Hanh - Head of the City Catholic Solidarity Committee reported on the results of activities of the Vinh City Catholic Solidarity Committee for the 2012 - 2017 term. Photo: Canh Nam

In addition to socio-economic development, the movement of solidarity to build cultural life is also of interest to Catholics. Education is also built in the direction of development with the rate of passing the entrance exams to schools reaching high levels every year.

Over the past 5 years, the Pastoral Councils have promoted and mobilized people to effectively implement many policies and guidelines of the State, build many peaceful parish models, and say no to social evils. Up to now, 140 self-management boards and 474 self-management groups have been established in the blocks and hamlets.

In humanitarian and charity work, the activities are very effective and practical, especially the campaign to mobilize the fund "For the poor", supporting victims of dioxin with an amount of nearly 1.8 billion VND. In addition, Catholics participate in many relief activities, helping many poor households and families in difficulty with hundreds of millions of VND such as the parishes of Trung My, Vinh Giang, An Hau...

Speaking at the congress, delegates acknowledged and highly appreciated the achievements of the city's Catholics in the patriotic emulation movement, building and defending the Fatherland during the 2012-2017 term.

At the same time, he affirmed that although there are many difficulties ahead, Catholics continue to believe and unite to well implement the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws; actively and effectively participate in patriotic emulation movements... Thereby contributing to building an increasingly prosperous homeland.

The new Vinh City Religious Solidarity Committee introduces its delegates. Photo: Canh Nam

The Congress elected the 7th term Catholic Solidarity Committee of the City with 23 members. Mr. Nguyen Van Hanh continues to hold the position of Head of the Catholic Solidarity Committee of Vinh City for the 2017-2022 term.

At the same time, we highly agree with the goals and tasks of improving the quality of the patriotic emulation movement for the 2017-2022 term. That is, continuing to strengthen the coordination of the City Catholic Solidarity Committee and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels and related departments and branches, promoting the strength of the great national solidarity bloc to effectively carry out the emulation movement "The whole people unite to build new rural areas, civilized urban areas; live a good life and follow good religion"; continue to consolidate and improve the quality of activities of the City Catholic Solidarity Committee, build residential areas that meet cultural standards, advanced parishes; effectively implement the 1980 Joint Letter of the Vietnam Bishops' Council "Religion accompanies the nation, for the goal of promoting humanity"...

Awarding certificates of merit to 6 groups with outstanding achievements in the patriotic emulation movement. Photo: Canh Nam

On this occasion, Vinh City People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to 6 collectives and 15 individuals with outstanding achievements in the Patriotic Emulation Movement among Catholics for the 2012-2017 term; The Congress also elected and selected 8 delegates to attend the Congress of Vietnamese Catholics in Nghe An province in October 2017.

South Scene