Hanoi, Vietnam, Feb 2, 2010 / 01:19 am
A Vietnamese priest has condemned the recent government attacks on Dong Chiem parishioners in the Archdiocese of Hanoi and has called for the removal of police forces in the area and for an “end of the besiegement.”
Civil unrest in Dong Chiem has followed the government's demolition of a crucifix from church property on Jan. 6. Parishioners who responded to the destruction with peaceful protests were beaten, arrested and suppressed.
The latest incident was the severe attack on a Redemptorist Brother Anthony Nguyen Van Tang, who lost consciousness after he was bludgeoned along with two of his brothers by police on Jan. 20 for visiting Dong Chiem, where he prayed with parishioners.
J.B. An Dang told CNA that Br. Anthony Nguyen was taken to his dormitory on Jan. 31, were police instigated a thorough search and arrested two more students living in the same room.