Hanoi, Vietnam, Jan 22, 2010 / 00:16 am
The Archdiocese of Hanoi has condemned local government attacks against Catholics at Dong Chiem parish, including the “savage” and “brutal” beating of a Redemptorist brother by police.
The attack is the latest incident near Dong Chiem parish, where local authorities blew up a cemetery’s crucifix in the early morning of Jan. 6.
On Wednesday, police “brutally” beat Redemptorist Br. Anthony Nguyen Van Tang so severely that he lost consciousness, the archdiocese said in a statement.
The statement, signed by vice-chancellor Fr. Long Le Trong Cung, reported that a group of priests and religious had wanted to visit Dong Chiem after they learned of escalating violence against parishioners and priests.