On occasion of 40th anniversary of Buon Me Thuot victory, the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands held a meeting with high-profile dignitaries of Buddhism, Catholicism, Protestantism and Caodaism in the region on March 9.
During the event, Chairman of the Committee Trần Việt Hùng stated that over the years many positive changes have been recorded in the region, including the reduction of poverty with only 10% of poor households remaining, and said these achievements were significantly brought by contributions of over two million religious followers in the locality.
Pastor An Uoc, President of the Vietnam United Mission Church said at the event that thanks to State’s development programs for the region, the material and spiritual life of local people have been improved, and Protestant dignitaries in the locality have been inspired to perform well both the civic obligation as well as the pastoral service. He also informed that 210 Protestant followers who joint FULRO earlier have now become active members the Church, and the Church have normally conducted religious practices on regular basis.
The freedom to conduct religious activities was also confirmed by Bishop Nguyễn Văn Bản of Buon Me Thuot diocese. He said that well coordination between the Catholic Church and state authorities in the locality have created best conditions for the local Catholics to make their contribution to the people and their homeland.
“There has been thorough understanding of the religious policy from the central to the local level, and the authorities have clearly seen religion as an integral part for stability and social development. When a pressing issue comes up in the locality, we would immediately talk to the provincial Committee for Religious Affairs or the Steering Committee, and thanks to this, fellow believers in provinces of Dak Lak, Dak Knong of Binh Phuoc in our diocese are very happy”, said the prelate.
Existing conditions for religious followers to fulfill civic duties as well as to enjoy religious freedom in the Central Highlands have also been shared by Venerable Thích Huệ Thông, Chairman of Binh Duong provincial Vietnam Buddhist Sangha Executive Committee. He also expressed that it’s important to demonstrate our sense of responsibility to the home country where we were borne and brought up, and that, with a spirit of harmony and peace Buddhists can overcome all difficulties in religious practices./.
Source: vov.vn
