Hanoi, Vietnam, Jan 29, 2008 / 11:20 am
Tensions are rising as Catholics in Hanoi continue their sit-in protests while the city police accuse the clergy of “lying to their flock” and forcing the laity to demonstrate. In response, Archbishop Joseph Ngô has said, “I’m prepared to go to jail for my flock.”
A local source informed CNA that he believes the state-run newspapers are trying to prepare the locals for a crackdown on the Catholic protestors. One such example is the New Hanoi newspaper, which described the protesters as “naive people” who have put completely their trusts in their religious leaders who want to seize the building illegally.
Meanwhile, the Hanoi Police force is also engaging in a propaganda campaign against the Catholics, accusing Hanoi’s clergymen of “lying to their flock” and “forcing them to demonstrate against the government”.
Despite cold rains and biting winds, hundreds of protesters have camped out in the residence garden since last Friday.