Brother Knights,

In the past two weeks, Vietnamese Catholics both at home and abroad have prayed non-stop for Thai Ha parish, northern Vietnam. Incredibly, 600 police and local government officials have surrounded the Redemptorist parish church, seizing its land. Redemptorist priests and religious were mistreated and threatened, but parishioners, including young people, are still gathering at Thai Ha to pray to God and Our Mother of Perpetual Help.

Communist Party officials broke the cross in Dong Chiem. They poured dirty oil on the statue of Our Mother of Perpetual Help in Thai Ha parish, broke into a church courtyard and desecrated the Eucharist in Hanoi Cathedral. Fr Nguyen Van Ly, and 15 young Vietnamese Catholics have been arrested.

“We have a duty to speak for those who have no voice,” said Bishop Vincent Nguyen Van Long from Melbourne-Australia during his first official visits to Orange County on November 11, 2011 at St Barbara church. Urging the gathering to pray for those treated unjustly, he said, “Our concern is for our brothers and sisters, who are victims of deceit. Let us raise our voice to demand the protection of justice and the public interest of the Vietnamese people.”

In the spirit of Charity, Unity, Fraternity and Patriotism, Vietnamese Martyrs Council 14445 has decided to work with the Federation of Vietnamese Catholic in Southwest Region of the US, to organize a “Candlelight Vigil for Thai Ha Parish, for Religious Freedom, Justice and Human Rights in Vietnam”, from 6:00pm until 9:00pm, on Saturday, December 10, 2011 at Bolsa Grande High School., 9401 Westminster Ave., Garden Grove.

We encourage ALL Knights to make every effort to attend this event.  Please give back a few hours to support our brother and sister Catholics in Vietnam. 

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