Religious followers have unwavering faith in the Party.

Việt Nam•03/08/2023

In the process of building, protecting, and developing the country, the Party and State have issued many guidelines and policies aimed at promoting the strength of national unity, with the goal of building a strong, prosperous, and thriving Vietnam. In particular, policies and guidelines concerning religion have been emphasized, thanks to which generations of religious followers have always had faith, joined hands, contributed, and accompanied the development of the country in general and the province in particular.

PART 1: Dedication to the Fatherland

During the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, as well as in the nation-building efforts today, our people, wherever they may be, regardless of their religion, have not hesitated to shed their blood and work together to build and protect the Fatherland. Many religious leaders and followers in the province have been recognized by the Party and the State for their contributions and sacrifices for the country.

Nha Trang Cathedral, in addition to serving the religious needs of the Catholic community, is also a tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors. Photo: VINH THANH

Working together for peace and national independence.

In July, when the whole country in general and Khanh Hoa province in particular organized many activities to care for and express gratitude to families who contributed to the revolution on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27), following the information provided by the Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee, I went to Phong Phu 2 residential area, Ninh Giang ward (Ninh Hoa town). Here, most people in the residential area know about the Heroic Vietnamese Mother Le Thi Tiem (deceased).

It can be said that Mother Tiếm dedicated her entire life to the country and the nation, contributing to peace and independence for Vietnam. During the two wars of resistance against French colonialism and American imperialism, her home served as a revolutionary base. Throughout her youth, Mother Tiếm supplied food to cadres and guerrillas. Although she was captured by the enemy many times, with the unwavering loyalty and integrity of a revolutionary soldier, she always kept secrets for her comrades and the organization. Her husband died early, and she had two sons who both took her surname. Upon reaching adulthood, both of Mother Tiếm's sons joined the revolutionary movement and sacrificed their lives in the resistance against French colonialism in the Hòn Hèo area (Ninh Hòa). Among them, martyr Lê Lới joined the revolutionary movement in 1946 and died in November 1950; martyr Lê Quá joined the revolutionary movement in 1946 and died in February 1951.

In a conversation with Mr. Nguyen Van Chuong (born in 1954, My Chanh residential area, Ninh Giang ward), I learned that Mrs. Tiem and her two sons (martyrs Le Loi and Le Qua) were all Catholic. Mr. Chuong said that he used to work as a Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs officer in Ninh Giang commune (now Ninh Giang ward). At that time, the view of local leaders and departments was that everyone, regardless of their religion, who had contributed should be recognized. Therefore, the Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs departments at all levels reviewed the policy framework according to regulations to propose to higher authorities to consider awarding the title of Heroic Vietnamese Mother to Mrs. Tiem and the Certificate of Recognition from the Fatherland to her two sons. Mrs. Le Thi Xuan (Mrs. Tiem's stepdaughter) said that she is currently the recipient of the policy for worshipping Heroic Vietnamese Mother Le Thi Tiem and the two martyrs. All policies and regulations are given attention by the Party and the State, and the relevant agencies provide payments and support in accordance with regulations.

Mr. Tran Van Gia presents gifts to Catholic families who rendered meritorious services to the revolution. Photo: TVG

Through information from Mr. Tran Van Gia - Member of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee, I learned that during the two wars of national defense, people in the province, regardless of their religion, enthusiastically participated in the revolution and resistance to fight for national liberation and reunification. Many families and individuals, including Catholic dignitaries and compatriots, participated in the revolution. Mr. Gia stated that during the resistance against French colonialism, Father Nguyen So (Parish Priest of Cho Moi Parish, Vinh Ngoc Commune, Nha Trang City) made significant contributions to the revolution. Upon Father Nguyen So's death in 1990, the State posthumously awarded him the Third Class Resistance Medal for his contributions to the French.

Father Pham Ngoc Phi - Parish Priest of Cho Moi Church (Vinh Ngoc commune) - on behalf of the Catholic faithful, received the posthumous award of the Third Class Resistance Medal against the French for Father Nguyen So. Photo: Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee.

A source of pride forever.

In a spacious single-story house in Tan An village, Cam An Bac commune (Cam Lam district), Mr. Nguyen Hong Son – the father of martyr Nguyen Dai Hai – lit an incense stick at his son's altar with a heavy heart filled with sorrow and remembrance. Mr. Son said: “In this Catholic community of Vinh Binh parish, the people always abide by the policies and laws of the Party and the State. When my son received his conscription order, the family and fellow parishioners in the village all congratulated and encouraged Hai to confidently enlist to build and protect the country.”

Representatives from Brigade 146, Region 4 of the Navy, visited and presented gifts to the family of martyr Nguyen Dai Hai on the occasion of the 76th anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs. Photo: VINH THANH

Upon joining the army, Hai was assigned to Combat Group 2, Song Tu Tay Island, Brigade 146, Truong Sa. In 2012, with only about a month left to complete his military service, Hai was killed in action. When his comrades and unit leaders informed him, Mr. Son and his family were devastated. He recounted that after hearing the tragic news, Hai's unit leaders, the parish priest, and neighbors provided timely and heartfelt support. Thanks to their efforts, the family's grief gradually subsided over time. Hai's death was a great loss for the family, but Mr. Son also felt proud that his son had made many contributions to the cause of building and protecting the Fatherland; and it further enhanced the traditions of Tan An village. Therefore, over the years, whenever young men in Tan An village enlisted in the army, Mr. Son would visit their homes to encourage them and contribute gifts to help them feel secure in fulfilling their military service.

The Executive Committee of the Cam An Bac Commune Youth Union visited and presented gifts to express gratitude to the family of martyr Nguyen Dai Hai. Photo: Tuan Ho

According to Mr. Ho Duy Tuan, Secretary of the Cam An Bac Commune Youth Union, over 90% of the population in Cam An Bac Commune is Catholic. The young people in the commune are enthusiastic about contributing their youthful energy to building their homeland. Martyr Nguyen Dai Hai was an outstanding young man who further enriched the revolutionary traditions of the commune. Currently, the commune has 8 martyrs and 1 wounded/disabled soldier, with 5 martyrs specifically in Tan An village…

The places I visited, as well as the conversations I had with religious leaders, clergy, officials, and followers of various religions in the province, all demonstrated a fervent patriotism and a willingness to contribute to building and protecting the nation, and to creating a better life.

Mr. TRAN VAN GIA - Member of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, Standing Vice Chairman of the Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee: In the province, there are many cases of families with meritorious contributions to the revolution, Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, wounded soldiers, sick soldiers, and martyrs who are Catholic. The Party and State's viewpoint is that there is no discrimination based on religion or ethnicity; anyone who has contributed to the Fatherland is recognized and appreciated; those who sacrificed to protect the Fatherland are honored by the Party, the State, and the people. Therefore, in recent years, all levels, sectors, agencies, and organizations have paid attention to and effectively implemented the work of showing gratitude and ensuring the regime and policies for those who have contributed to the revolution and their relatives, including policy beneficiaries who are Catholic. In the coming period, the Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee will continue to direct the Catholic Solidarity Committees to closely coordinate with the Fatherland Front and the District-level Departments of Labor, War Invalids and Social Affairs to accurately review the number of Catholics who have rendered meritorious services to the revolution in order to promptly visit and encourage them.

THE GREAT OCEAN

PART 2: Actively participating in building a new way of life

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