Lent of prayer and solidarity with Catholic and non-Catholic poor in Bùi Chu
April 12,2014: Lent has been a time for initiatives in favour of the poor, the marginalised
and the unfortunate in the Diocese of Bui Chu, in the province of Nam Dinh, one of
the first in northern Vietnam to experience evangelisation in the past. During
recent weeks, youth groups and students also organised prayer and fasting in preparation
for Easter as well as special gatherings such as spiritual retreats for the less
fortunate and social activities for marginalised people. It was joint venture of priests
and the faithful. Responding with enthusiasm to Pope Francis' call, Caritas volunteers
took part in charitable works dedicated to the poor. More than 500 people benefitted
from the various initiatives without distinction of religion, Catholic and not Catholic,
all victims of discrimination and living on the edge of society. In association with
diocesan Caritas director Fr Joseph Tran Hung Đạo, Mgr Tôma Aquinô Vũ Đình Hiệu, bishop
of Bùi Chu and president of the Commission for Social Activities Caritas Vietnam,
closely followed all the initiatives. Accompanied by a group of nuns, the prelate
visited in person the poorest parishes and shelters in five districts. The Christian
community is particularly active in education, health and social affairs. Vietnam's
87 million people include 48 per cent Buddhists, more than 7 per cent Catholics, 5.6
per cent syncretistic and 20 per cent atheist.