Currently, Bac Ninh city has 5 parishes with 437 households and nearly 2,300 people. To implement the campaign, the provincial Catholic Solidarity Committee in collaboration with departments, communities and priests propagated and encouraged followers to well observe Party’s guidelines and policies and State’s laws, actively participate in patriotic movements. Followers are imbued with the spirit “worshipping God, loving the country”, well perform the citizen’s responsibilities and obligations and duties of followers, live “better secular and religious life” and “live the Gospel within the nation”. Followers and people in the city built “culture family”, “cultural street” and the civilized life style. Today, 100% of residential areas where Catholic reside have built the norm of “cultural street” in their locality.

Every year, the Fatherland Front Boards of the residential areas encourage families to participate in the movements “cultural family” and “cultural street”. In 2013, Bac Ninh city had more than 90% of Catholic household awarded the title “cultural family”; 100% of residential areas where Catholic reside achieved the title “cultural street”.

At the parishes, followers work hard to develop small businesses, including raising animals, making traditional crafts, providing services…and gradually improve their life.

Catholics in Ngo Khe parish with the traditional craft of making paper have developed and expanded production and created jobs for thousands of local people; followers in Bac Ninh and Thi Dap Cau parishes developed service sector. The economic life of followers have  constantly been  raised with wealthy households accounting for more than 80% and only 17 poor households remaining representing 3.8% (according to new criteria)

The movements “Gratitude Repaying”, “for the poor people”, “all people protecting national security” have enjoyed the active response from Catholic followers. In religious ceremonies, priests in the parishes reminded followers to well do the studying- promotion works, population and family planning, ensuring security and order, environmental sanitation; preventing the social evils, helping poor people and families under special cares…. The prevention of crimes, drugs, prostitution and other social evils are carried out effectively. The charity activities have been promoted.

The movement “All people unite to build cultural life in residential areas and live a better secular and religious life” achieved good results, so life of Catholics in Bac Ninh city has gradually been improved.

Theo Phương Mai(Báo Bắc Ninh)