Hau Giang currently has 14 religious organizations granted the legal entity, with 512 dignitaries and deacons and 206,298 lay followers (accounting for 26.7% the provincial population), 159 religious worshipping places and 127 folk belief places.
Over the past year, the relationship between Hau Giang authorities and local religious dignitaries, deacons and followers has been more closely and friendly.
Head of Hoa Hoa Buddhist Church’s representative committee in the province Nguyễn Hoàng Khởi said that over the past years, Hau Giang authorities have created favorable conditions for religious affairs and practices of the representative committee according to regulations of the Hoa Hoa Buddhist Church and local authorities. Hoa Hao Buddhist followers have proactively joined social movements launched for the socio-economic development of the locality.
Vice Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee (VFF) Lê Văn Sơn informed that many religious dignitaries and deacons are members of the VFF at all levels who have closely worked with local authorities for boosting sustainable development in the locality.
Local religious organizations have practically contributed to successes of the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and People's Councils at all levels for the 2021-2026 term in Hau Giang.
There are a Protestant church and two Catholic churches in Ward IV, Vi Thanh city with large numbers of members. Local priests and pastors have encouraged their followers to go the polling places and exercise the rights to vote.
Commissioned Pastor Võ Văn Thương shared that religious dignitaries have encouraged lay followers to proactively participate in patriotic movements launched by local authorities.
Regarding the Covid-19 preventive work, Ngoc Long monastery in Nang Mau town, Vi Thuy district has been closed for more than a month. Venerable Thích Giác Nghiệp, Abbot of the monastery shared that the monastery has not welcomed Buddhists and visitors in order to prevent Covid-19 spread in the locality.
Although the suspension of religious activities has greatly affected the spiritual life of lay followers, local religious organizations and dignitaries, positions and believers in the province have supported the restriction for the Covid-19 prevention.
According to Most Venerable Thích Giác Giàu, Chairman of the provincial Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Chapter, the provincial VBS Chapter has requested Buddhist worshipping places in the province to suspend all activities and enhance awareness of followers on the risk and spread of Covid-19 pandemic.
PH (baohaugiang.com)
