Must deeply perceive and consider religious work as a key task

On the morning of February 11, the Provincial People's Committee held a conference to review the state management of beliefs and religions in 2019; directions and tasks for 2020. 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, concurrently Head of the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee co-chaired the conference. Photo: PB

Reporting at the conference, Head of the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee Luu Cong Vinh said that the activities of beliefs and religions in the province in 2019 were basically stable, religious life had many positive changes, in compliance with the law. Major ceremonies and important ceremonies took place solemnly, safely, in accordance with regulations and attracted a large number of believers and people to attend.

The Catholic Church and Buddhist Church advocate purely religious activities, comply with the law, respect and cooperate with the government; Party committees and authorities at all levels and the Catholic Church and Buddhist Church have proactively visited, congratulated, and exchanged information on the occasion of important religious holidays and traditional national holidays and New Year, creating a joyful and exciting atmosphere, building great national unity.

In general, the churches of the main religions have completed all procedures according to the law and have been approved by the competent authorities. Emulation movements, campaigns for new rural construction and environmental protection in religious areas are regularly organized. The security and order situation in the province in general and religious areas in particular is more stable than in previous years.

Comrade Luu Cong Vinh - Head of the Provincial Religious Committee reported on state management of religion in 2019. Photo: PB

However, in reality, issues such as illegal land transfers, donations, sales, and encroachments to expand and expand religious facilities, build churches, pagodas, and sports fields are still occurring in many religious facilities. Some new religious phenomena appearing in the province have negatively impacted public opinion, affecting security and order.Reactionary elements continue to connect and associate with a number of extremist dignitaries to conduct activities against the regime, affecting security and order at the grassroots level.

Affirming that the above issues have affected political stability and social order and safety, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Le Hong Vinh said that some localities have shown signs of lax management of elements from other places coming to Nghe An; the management of population and temporary residence in some localities is not strict. State management of new religious phenomena in some localities has not received due attention, has been slow to detect, and has been confused in handling.

The implementation of legal policies in many areas is loose, deficient, and flawed; there are reasons for organizations and individuals to take advantage of religion to commit violations and incite followers to oppose. Propaganda and mass mobilization work in some places is not very effective and inconsistent. The coordination work to resolve a number of issues related to religion in the province by a number of departments, branches, and localities is not serious.

It is forecasted that in 2020, the demand for religious activities will increase. Hostile forces at home and abroad continue to take advantage of religion to carry out the plot of "peaceful evolution" against Vietnam and Nghe An is still a key area. In particular, 2020 is the year when our country and province have important events, especially the occasion of Party congresses at all levels, so comrade Le Hong Vinh requested that all levels, sectors and localities deeply understand and consider religious work as a key task that requires focused leadership and direction.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee requested sectors and localities to resolutely and effectively implement state management of religion. Photo: PB

"We must focus on doing a good job of mobilizing and persuading religious dignitaries, officials, and followers both in resolving religious activity needs and in handling cases of violations of the law related to religion so that dignitaries, officials, and followers understand and trust that the Party Committee and the government truly respect religious freedom, thereby voluntarily complying with the law and supporting the government," Comrade Le Hong Vinh emphasized, adding that sectors and localities must also pay attention to promptly resolving legitimate religious needs, with a legal and practical basis. Grasp the situation of religious activities, fight, prevent, and promptly and effectively handle reactionary and extremist opposition subjects.

On this occasion, the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee also awarded Certificates of Merit to 7 groups and 12 individuals for their outstanding achievements in state management of religion. At the same time, he awarded Certificates of Merit to 2 groups and 7 individuals for their outstanding achievements in advising on the resolution of the case in Nghi Phong commune, Nghi Loc district.

Comrade Le Hong Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee awarded Certificates of Merit to collectives and individuals. Photo: PB