Reporter:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : The Central Committee of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee has launched a patriotic emulation movement with specific contents, focusing on the eight contents of the "All people unite to build new rural areas, civilized urban areas, and live a good and virtuous life" emulation movement issued and launched by the Presidium of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee.

Based on these guidelines, the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committees in provinces and cities have directed emulation activities to the grassroots level. Some localities have developed specific criteria and content for emulation campaigns tailored to the characteristics and circumstances of their communities, thus making patriotic emulation practical and widely embraced by Catholics.

Within the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee system, we organized provincial-level emulation clusters; and signed emulation agreements between the former district-level Catholic Solidarity Committees.

Based on the general movement launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee, provinces and cities closely follow their local socio -economic development plans to build specific and appropriate emulation contents, creating synergy with the emulation movements of various sectors, the Fatherland Front, etc.

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh. Photo: An Luych

PV:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : It can be said that patriotic emulation has spread throughout areas with large Catholic populations, bringing practical benefits; contributing to improving the quality of life and revitalizing villages and parishes.

Through emulation campaigns, outstanding achievements have emerged in various fields: economic development, building a cultured lifestyle, building new rural areas and civilized urban areas, environmental protection, national security, and social charity...

Besides economic and cultural fields, most of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committees in provinces and cities coordinate with relevant agencies to disseminate information and encourage Catholic compatriots to effectively implement the State's policies and laws; build "peaceful religious communities," "peaceful parishes," parishes with 3 "no"s (no social evils, no drugs, no law violations), and residential areas with 5 "no"s (no drugs - no prostitution - no gambling - no theft - no law violations).

For example, the Khanh Hoa Provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee, in coordination with the Provincial Party Committee's Propaganda Department and the Provincial Border Guard Command, organized propaganda activities on Vietnam's maritime sovereignty ; and collaborated with the Provincial Police to conduct propaganda and build models for protecting national security in areas with a large Catholic population.

The patriotic emulation movement, along with the policy of integration and development of a socialist-oriented market economy, has created a strong impetus for Catholic-owned businesses to assert their position in the market, such as TNG Investment and Trading Joint Stock Company, Truong An Golf Investment Joint Stock Company, Tan Thien Phu Limited Company, etc. In addition, the linkage between the three stakeholders (scientists, farmers, and businesses) has been strengthened, bringing high efficiency in agricultural economic development; farm economics has become a production trend generating billions of dong in income for many families.

Another prominent aspect is the development of new rural areas, advanced new rural areas, the construction of civilized urban areas, and environmental protection. These activities involve coordinated efforts and mobilization by many parish priests, leading Catholic families to readily demolish parts of their house walls, donate land (both residential and agricultural) to adjust and expand roads, contribute money and labor to build infrastructure, and leverage local potential for economic development. Environmental protection activities under the coordinated program "Promoting the role of religions in environmental protection and climate change adaptation" are also emphasized by Catholic communities, contributing to the creation of a green, clean, and beautiful landscape.

PV:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : The spirit of charity and Catholic morality has permeated social charitable activities, even in economic development – ​​many people not only enrich themselves but also help others with production capital and supplies without charging interest. Many Catholic families in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City build houses for students to live in for free, or maintain free meals and porridge services for patients in hospitals.

Many religious orders care for dozens of orphans, disabled children, and lonely elderly people; they also provide medical care for patients, such as the St. Ann Bui Chu Orphanage, the Congregation of the Miraculous Image, and the Congregation of the Brothers of St. John. The Congregation of Mary Queen of Peace in Gia Nghia parish (Ban Me Thuot diocese) has served over 164,000 free meals at hospitals, worth nearly 2 billion VND. In the former Dong Nai province, Catholics contributed over 900 billion VND to social charity and medical care. In Khanh Hoa province, most religious orders are involved in charitable activities, including three facilities caring for nearly 250 orphans and disabled children.

It can be said that charity and compassion are a constant beautiful aspect of the Catholic way of life, as the Beatitudes teach: "Blessed are those who show mercy."

Knight Grand Cross Anna Nguyen Thi Kim Yen visits and presents gifts to impoverished households in Dak Lak province. Photo: An Luych

PV:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : The Congress, which will take place on September 11th, is an opportunity to evaluate the patriotic emulation movements of the past period, and from there, inherit and develop good and creative methods to improve the effectiveness of emulation in the new phase.

This is also an opportunity to commend and reward exemplary individuals and good deeds in all areas of social life. In particular, with the participation and speeches of representatives from the Party, State, and Fatherland Front, the Congress will strongly encourage and spread patriotism and national pride among Catholic compatriots, contributing to better implementation of the Church's direction of close ties and partnership with the nation.

The good deeds and virtuous conduct of Catholic compatriots that the Congress summarizes and commends will be a vivid testament to the patriotic spirit and national unity of Vietnamese Catholics.

The Congress also made several adjustments regarding the organization of patriotic emulation campaigns in the context of the recent merger of administrative units. These adjustments aimed to align with the new reality while simultaneously inheriting and promoting the fine traditions of the localities.

PV:

Father Joseph Tran Xuan Manh : In my opinion, the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee should focus on building a way of life and an expression of faith that is in line with the cultural traditions of the nation; creating spiritual motivation and national pride so that each person will compete from the bottom of their heart in loving the Fatherland and the Church, proactively acting to contribute to the development of the country and the advancement of the life of faith.

Furthermore, when building and implementing the movement, it is necessary to promote Catholic ethics and culture in daily life, recognizing this as an important resource, along with other resources, contributing to building the country and creating happy and peaceful lives in families, communities, and society.

Furthermore, it is necessary to be proactive and creative in promoting patriotic emulation, avoiding rigid and stereotypical approaches; to accelerate digital transformation, apply information technology, and coordinate media communication through newspapers and social media platforms to make patriotic emulation activities more attractive and widespread.

With the spirit of "Reverence for God - Love for the Country" and the harmonious blend of the Gospel spirit with the national spirit, I believe that Catholic compatriots will continue to be vibrant and active members of the Vietnamese national community in the cause of building and developing the country and serving the happiness of the people.

PV:

AN LUYCH (performed by)

    Source: https://www.qdnd.vn/xa-hoi/dan-toc-ton-giao/cac-van-de/khich-le-long-yeu-nuoc-va-tu-hao-dan-toc-trong-dong-bao-cong-giao-845006