In the complicated context of Covid-19 pandemic in Dong Nai province and other southern localities, Xuan Loc diocese and its parishes and congregations have presented necessities to local residents regardless of religion in the locality.
Right after social distancing measures in accordance with the Prime Minister's Directive 16 imposed in Dong Nai province from July 9 for further preventing spread of the Covid-19 pandemic, Bishop of Xuan Loc diocese John Đỗ Đức Ngân has issued a notification asking lay Catholics to strictly implement the epidemic prevention and control measures as regulated by local authorities.
In the current epidemic situation, many parishes in the province have provided food and other necessities for local people regardless of religion.
According to Priest Joseph Nguyễn Văn Uy, Head of Lai On parish, Principal of Hoa Binh Xuan Loc college cum Chairman of the diocese Caritas, when the Covid-19 pandemic started spreading in the province, the diocese Caritas has launched fund-raisings for assisting disadvantaged people in quarantine areas, especially the poor and the unemployed.
Priest Joseph Nguyễn Văn Uy
Vo Dong parish in Thong Nhat district together with its serving boards have gathered vegetables from local households in the parish, and classified and distributed them to local people.
In addition, Catholic orders in Dong Nai, such as the Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Senia Thanh Tam congregation in Bien Hoa city’s Tan Bien, ward have presented necessities to local residents in lockdown areas, medical students and workers who were unable to go to work due to the imposed social distancing.
Xuan Loc diocese has also called on its Catholic followers to support the provincial Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control, and so far 120 priests, clergymen, clergywoman and seminarians have voluntarily registered to join local authorities in assisting the prevention and control of Covid-19 epidemic in the province.
