Hanoi, Vietnam, Aug 3, 2009 / 21:20 pm
Catholics from 178 parishes of the Diocese of Vinh held another massive protest on Sunday, demanding an end to overt persecution against Catholics in Dong Hoi. They also demanded the return of Church and individual properties illegally seized by police and an immediate halt to the ongoing propaganda and defamation campaign in the state media.
The protesters carried banners denouncing the government of Dong Hoi’s violence against priests, religious and lay Catholics. According to VietCatholic News, they marched with “sheer determination”
on the streets.
Other dioceses throughout Vietnam simultaneously observed moments of silence in a show of solidarity and prayer for victims of police and government-backed gangs. They also prayed for the safety of Catholics in Dong Hoi.
In front of the bishop’s office in the Diocese of Vinh, an estimated 10,000 Catholics joined together in protest.