While state-run media continue to launch vicious attacks on two Redemptorist priests, depicting them as traitors who are trying to break up the national unity, their superior on the contrary has just issued a statement to defend his confreres' action, also praising them as patriotic noblemen.
In a public statement dated April 28, Fr. Vincent Pham Trung Thanh, Redemptorist provincial superior of Vietnam, states that Redemptorists in Vietnam unanimously share the concern of a diverse coalition of scientists, intellectuals, former officials and countless of Vietnamese at home and abroad who have adamantly opposed government’s bauxite plans for detrimental, long term environmental and social damages that this exploitation may bring about.
Citing the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the World Day of Peace in Jan. 1, 2007, Fr. Vincent Pham states that “there is a reciprocal connection between the ecology of nature, the human ecology, and the social ecology.”
“Experience shows that disregards for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa. It becomes more and more evident that there is an inseparable link between peace with creation and peace among men. Both of these presuppose peace with God”, Fr. Vincent Pham adds.
So, in the Order’s point of view “protecting nature and the environment is a necessary condition for human development”. Furthermore, “in any development process, in any areas, the spiritual and material benefits of the whole community, especially of the poor and the under-developed, must be taken into account. The economy must serve the entire society and the welfare of all the members of the society, not just a privileged minority,” he stresses.
In conclusion, Fr. Vincent Pham states that Fr. Joseph Le Quang Uy and Fr. Peter Nguyen Van Khai who have been under attack for their open criticism on the government's reckless bauxite exploitation plans are indeed patriotic noblemen. “Their worries and concerns are proper which serve as proof of their patriotism”, he writes.
In another development, Hanoi Criminal Investigation Department has repeatedly sent “urgent summoning orders” asking Fr. Peter Nguyen to be present "in person" at the department for the "clarification of a number of documents". So far, Fr. Peter Nguyen has refused to go.
In a statement released on Tuesday April 28, representatives of priests, religious and parishioners of Thai Ha parish state that: “Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai is our appointed spokesperson for the Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha parish. Every single document or statement produced by Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai as our spokesperson therefore has to be understood with common sense as the reflection of the collective aspiration, the will, the position, the view of all priests, religious, and parishioners from the Redemptorist monastery - Thai Ha parish. Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai personally is just a member among our community who is responsible for making announcements.”
“All priests, religious and parishioners here at Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha are in perfect unison and all responsible for any affair, policies, and actions that are pertinent to the Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha parish,” continues the statement.
“Since we are all sharing the same responsibility, we oppose the Bureau's (of Security and Investigation) summon of just Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai for all announcements, documents, and actions that are pertinent to the Redemptorist- Thai Ha parish.”
“Should there be any issue that the above-mentioned agencies need to work with the Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha parish, we ask that it would be done with all our priests, religious and parishioners,” it concludes.
In a public statement dated April 28, Fr. Vincent Pham Trung Thanh, Redemptorist provincial superior of Vietnam, states that Redemptorists in Vietnam unanimously share the concern of a diverse coalition of scientists, intellectuals, former officials and countless of Vietnamese at home and abroad who have adamantly opposed government’s bauxite plans for detrimental, long term environmental and social damages that this exploitation may bring about.
Citing the message of Pope Benedict XVI for the celebration of the World Day of Peace in Jan. 1, 2007, Fr. Vincent Pham states that “there is a reciprocal connection between the ecology of nature, the human ecology, and the social ecology.”
“Experience shows that disregards for the environment always harms human coexistence, and vice versa. It becomes more and more evident that there is an inseparable link between peace with creation and peace among men. Both of these presuppose peace with God”, Fr. Vincent Pham adds.
So, in the Order’s point of view “protecting nature and the environment is a necessary condition for human development”. Furthermore, “in any development process, in any areas, the spiritual and material benefits of the whole community, especially of the poor and the under-developed, must be taken into account. The economy must serve the entire society and the welfare of all the members of the society, not just a privileged minority,” he stresses.
In conclusion, Fr. Vincent Pham states that Fr. Joseph Le Quang Uy and Fr. Peter Nguyen Van Khai who have been under attack for their open criticism on the government's reckless bauxite exploitation plans are indeed patriotic noblemen. “Their worries and concerns are proper which serve as proof of their patriotism”, he writes.
In another development, Hanoi Criminal Investigation Department has repeatedly sent “urgent summoning orders” asking Fr. Peter Nguyen to be present "in person" at the department for the "clarification of a number of documents". So far, Fr. Peter Nguyen has refused to go.
In a statement released on Tuesday April 28, representatives of priests, religious and parishioners of Thai Ha parish state that: “Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai is our appointed spokesperson for the Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha parish. Every single document or statement produced by Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai as our spokesperson therefore has to be understood with common sense as the reflection of the collective aspiration, the will, the position, the view of all priests, religious, and parishioners from the Redemptorist monastery - Thai Ha parish. Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai personally is just a member among our community who is responsible for making announcements.”
“All priests, religious and parishioners here at Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha are in perfect unison and all responsible for any affair, policies, and actions that are pertinent to the Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha parish,” continues the statement.
“Since we are all sharing the same responsibility, we oppose the Bureau's (of Security and Investigation) summon of just Rev. Peter Nguyen Van Khai for all announcements, documents, and actions that are pertinent to the Redemptorist- Thai Ha parish.”
“Should there be any issue that the above-mentioned agencies need to work with the Redemptorist monastery- Thai Ha parish, we ask that it would be done with all our priests, religious and parishioners,” it concludes.