Coordinate to resolve issues related to the incident that occurred in Yen Khe commune, Con Cuong district.

The People's Committee of Nghe An province has just issued Official Letter No. 4773/UBND-NC dated July 14, 2012 to Father Tran Van Cong (Representative of the Bishop of Vinh Diocese) regarding coordination in resolving issues related to the incident that occurred in Yen Khe commune, Con Cuong district. The content is as follows:

Dear: Father Tran Van Cong (representative of the Bishop of Vinh Diocese).

On July 10, 2012, the People's Committee of Nghe An province hadOfficial dispatch No. 4647/UBND-NC sent to Bishop of Vinh Diocese Nguyen Thai Hop and Priest Tran Van Cong (representative of Bishop of Vinh Diocese), in which objectively and fully informed about the contents related to the incident that occurred on July 1, 2012 in Yen Khe commune, Con Cuong district, and at the same time requested the Bishop and Priest to coordinate with the authorities to resolve the above incident.

Up to now, after 3 invitations, Father Tran Van Cong still refused to meet the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee. The Bishop and the Priest have not cooperated with the government in resolving the incident. On the website of Vinh Diocese, there are still many articles that misrepresent the nature of the incident in Yen Khe commune, Con Cuong district; In some parishes, banners and slogans are still hung in front of church gates with slanderous and fabricated content accusing the government of sacrilege and beating priests and parishioners... Notably, in Lap Thach parish (Nghi Thach commune, Nghi Loc district), a banner "Protesting the Communist government's violent actions against parishioners" is hung outside the church grounds. In Dong Thap parish (Dien Hong commune, Dien Chau district), a picture of a broken statue of the Virgin Mary is hung with the words "The statue of the Virgin Mary was smashed by the government on July 1, 2012" is hung... causing misunderstandings and anger among parishioners towards the government. The actions of the church have made people in many localities in the province indignant and protesting, thus negatively affecting the solidarity of the people and causing insecurity and disorder.

The above actions of some priests are contrary to the teachings of God, the Homily of Pope Benedict XVI on June 27, 2009 and the content of Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli - Non-resident Special Envoy of the Vatican in Vietnam when working with the Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province on December 6, 2011 "Catholicism is a non-political organization, all religious activities comply with the law and support the government...".

Currently, the Provincial People's Committee is focusing on directing the People's Committee of Con Cuong district and other sectors to persistently and diligently mobilize and persuade people to remain calm, restrain themselves, clearly distinguish right from wrong, strengthen national solidarity, and avoid conflicts that could cause further negative consequences. While the Bishop is abroad, the Provincial People's Committee requests Father Tran Van Cong, representative of the Bishop of Vinh Diocese, to provide the following:

1. Direct the immediate removal of banners and slogans throughout the Vinh Diocese, remove articles posted on the Vinh Diocese website that contain fabricated, slanderous, or inciting content against the government; at the same time, inform dignitaries and parishioners honestly about the content of the incident that occurred on July 1, 2012 in Yen Khe commune, Con Cuong district so that people can understand and foster national solidarity, between Catholics and non-Catholics, and build a peaceful and happy life.

2. Direct Catholic dignitaries and religious followers to comply with the law, not to allow activities that affect the reputation and image of the Catholic Church, especially in prayer communion, preaching... not to propagate false, slanderous, distorted content and to divide solidarity among the people.

3. Currently, the case is being investigated by the investigation agency and those who violate the law, including both Catholics and non-Catholics, are being strictly handled. Therefore, we request that the Priest (Bishop's Representative) direct the dignitaries, officials and parishioners to stay calm, immediately stop activities that complicate the situation, and coordinate with the authorities to resolve the case to ensure security and order, so that people can have a more harmonious and better life.

In the spirit of frank dialogue and sincere cooperation, the Provincial People's Committee requests that the priest, in his role as representative of the Bishop of Vinh Diocese, fulfill his responsibilities and coordinate in resolving the matter.

People's Committee
KT. Chairman
Vice president
LE XUAN DAI