Catholics and non-Catholics pray for rights and religious freedom in Vietnam

January 30 ,2013: Redemptorists in Vietnam will be holding a special Mass on the last Sunday of every month this year to pray for rights and religious freedom in the country. More than 2,000 people attended the first of such services last Sunday (27 Jan) in Ho Chi Minh City. A Buddhist mother of a young woman arrested for criticising "Chinese expansionism" spoke at the end of the service. In an official press statement, the Redemptorists in Ho Chi Minh City said that they would continue to work for peace and justice in Vietnam. With this purpose in mind, besides their plan to celebrate a special Mass on the last Sunday of each month, they will also carry out other initiatives, which they will present in coming days, the press release said. In last Sunday’s service, Fr Joseph Dinh Huu Thoai called on all the faithful to pray for the victims of social injustice and serious violations by local authorities, particularly related to Church properties and assets.The Redemptorists made a earnest appeal for the release of activists, jailed for expressing their views online or in the streets, against Beijing's "imperialist policies".
At the end of the service, the priests and faithful lighted candles to Our Lady of Mutual Help, and prayed for peace and justice in Vietnam.