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Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien blesses a child at Phu Ly Church on Jan. 5. (photo courtesy of tonggiaophanhanoi.org)
Jan. 13, 2020
Union of Catholic Asian News
HANOI, Vietnam -- A Catholic leading prelate in Vietnam has asked Catholics in the communists-ruled country to focus on environmental protection in the coming lunar new year by working for a clean and healthy environment.
Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi said spring symbolizes renewal, and when it comes, all the plants are in bloom, and people enjoy warm sunlight.
"We should welcome the new spring with efforts to renew our life," Archbishop Thien said in his lunar new year message to local Catholics on Jan. 11. The new lunar year, the Year of the Rat starts on Jan. 25.
Archbishop Thien, vice secretary-general of the national bishops' conference, said Catholics have a responsibility to pay special attention to environmental protection in the coming year.
"We have experienced the importance of environmental protection, and the terrible consequences of damage to the environment," the message said.
Vietnam is one of the countries most affected by climate change.
Environmental protection has become a focus for the global Catholic Church ever since Pope Francis released Laudato si', his second encyclical in 2015, stressing the need to take care of "our common home."
Archbishop Thien also urged them to pay much attention to the social environment by quelling violence, drug abuse, gambling, and self-indulgent lifestyles.
He said 2019 saw many cases of serious corruption in which high-ranking government officials were brought to trial for bribery, graft, and lack of responsibility. They expressed guilt and remorse at their trial, but it was too late.
"Surely, many other officials need to be brought to justice so that our country can develop. An affluent society is not only based on economic growth but shows parity, justice, respect for human rights and dignity," he said.
Catholics are invited "to work to the best of their ability to build a society of equality, civilization, and development," he said.
The 59-year-old prelate, who also serves as apostolic administrator of his home diocese of Hai Phong, urged people to live according to the good conscience, "and eliminate deceit and injustice from our life."
"We are happy that most families in our society live happily, are faithful to one another, and have filial affection," he said.
However, he warned that there is an increasing number of brutal murder cases where the perpetrators and victims are from the same family. In some cases, children killed their parents, grandchildren murdered their grandparents, and siblings killed one another.
He said the number of cases and the level of brutality are on the rise.
The archbishop wanted Catholics to develop their families by nurturing love and respect one another and by taking part in parish activities together.