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.