Vietnamese archdiocese to rebuild Marian shrine on confiscated land
(Dec.16,2009): In Vietnam, the Archdiocese of Hue has launched an ambitious $25 million
plan to rebuild a national Marian shrine on confiscated land that the Vietnamese government
has returned to the church. Archdiocesan leaders hope to launch the project for the
Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang in January 2011, when they conclude celebrations of
the church's Jubilee Year 2010, the Asian church news agency UCA News reported. The
jubilee year observance started Nov. 24 and will conclude Jan. 6, 2011. The project
includes the construction of a new basilica which can seat 5,000 people. The original
basilica was destroyed in a battle in 1972 during the Vietnam War. Pilgrims will be
able to visit the site even before work is completed, said Father Jacob Le Si Hien,
the shrine's rector. "We are making plans to level and clean up the shrine's land"
to serve local pilgrims who come to obtain indulgences during the jubilee year, he
said. The special year marks the 350th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam's
first two apostolic vicariates as well as the 50th anniversary of establishing the
church hierarchy in the country.