In 2019, Catholic communities and priests proactively engaged in charitable programs for poverty reduction in the locality. Cang Long parish has contributed VND 790 million for a program sending supports including cash, rice, clothes other necessities to the disadvantaged in locality in the province, in which Priest Peter Nguyễn Thái Dương successfully raised a fund of VND 105 million for building two charitable houses for the poor in the locality. Parishes of Cau Ngang and Tieu Can in Tra Vinh also contributed VND 482 million and VND 300 million respectively in response to this charitable program.

Last year Tan An Catholic church completed two charitably houses for the poor valued at VND 100 million last year, and Vinh Hoa church also inaugurated one charitable house and completed the repair of four other houses at the total cost of VND 65 million.

In education, the Catholic solidarity board in Tra Vinh’s districts, and Catholic parishes and orders of Saint Paul and Holy Cross Lovers in the province made practical efforts and contributions in encouraging and supporting underprivileged pupils and students to go to school. In 2019, Catholic communities of Vinh Kim, Vinh Hoa, Thon Ron, Cau Ngang, Giong Lon raised a fund of VND 350 million for education promotion; the Saint Paul congregation opened three more kindergarten classes adding the total number of 360 pre-school children; and the kindergarten operated by the Holy Cross Lovers congregation had two more preschool classes with the total number of 540 children.  

Regarding medical charities last year, Catholic churches and orders in Tra Vinh’s Tieu Can district persuaded and provide necessary assistance for 39 elderly having free eye examination in Ho Chi Minh City; Cau Ngang parish contributed VND 125 million for free eye examination and operation of 25 people and run a charity kitchen in the district hospital at the monthly cost of four million VND. The Catholic churches of Bai Xan and Nhi Long operate the free medicines cabinet valued at six million VND, etc.

In environmental protection last year, Tra Vinh Church contributed VND 140 million for cleaning the local canal, Rach Von Church planted 500 new trees, and Phuoc Hao Church invested VND 99 million for repairing the local roads and contributed other VND 88 million for installing the light system and clearing the bushes along 6km of local roads.

Chairman of the Catholic solidarity of Tra Vinh (third from left) receives a certificate of commendation from the central committee for solidarity of Vietnamese Catholic 

In addition, the committee for Catholic solidarity in Tra Vinh has closely worked with concerning provincial authorities in disseminating state policies and laws, including the Law on Belief and Religion 2016 and its guiding Decree 162, as well as programs and movements launched in the province for socio-economic development and environmental protection in the locality, with a total of 95 meetings held in 2019 for over 4,370 participating locals.

PTT