Posted on 04/28/2011 3:36:23 AM PDT by Gamecock
Three Catholic priests are candidates for election to the Vietnamese national assembly, the “highest organ of state power” under the nation’s constitution.
The candidacy of the three priests has prompted criticism among Vietnamese Catholics, in light of the clear Church policy against political activity by priests, and also in light of these priests’ clear support for the Communist government.
Father Tran Manh Cuong and Father Le Ngoc Hoan, of the dioceses of Ban Me Thout and Bui Chu, respectively, are already members of the current 12th national assembly; they are running now for membership in the 13th assembly, which will be elected on May 22. A third priest, Father Phan Khac Tu of the Saigon archdiocese, is running for the first time, and his candidacy has drawn more public attention.
Father Tu is chief editor of Catholics and People, a magazine that was founded with government support in 1975 and became known for its frequent criticism of Pope John Paul II and the Vatican. His election campaign has highlighted Father Tu’s involvement in the Vietnam war, even claiming that he built a secret factory to produce bombs that could be used against American soldiers. In an interview with a state-run media outlet, Father Tu voiced his pride in running such a factory inside a church in central Saigon.
The Code of Canon Law (285-3) forbids clerics from holding political office “if it means sharing in the exercise of civil power.” In an open letter to the Vietnamese hierarchy, several priests—including Father Nguyen Van Ly, a prominent dissident who has spent almost 15 years in prison—argue that membership in the national assembly falls into that proscribed category, since the group exists to legitimize decisions of the Communist Party. “It is clear from Church teachings that no true Catholic can ever be a Communist, or condone Communism,” the priests add. They ask the Vietnamese bishops to take disciplinary action against the priests who are candidates for election.
File under Commie Catholics
File this while you’re at it but I suggest you read it first. A firm knowledge base on the threads one posts can prevent public displays of embarrassment for the poster -
Chinese officials monitor cathedral in effort to find Catholic bishop -
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2640334/posts
IOW, you don’t have a clue in what’s happening to the Catholic Church in China which makes you a wonderful PR pawn for the Communist Party.
What's the problem with the posted link? Just curious what you refer to before I read them. I don't want to be misled.
Is it time to open the pool on when they get suspended or laicized?
The so-called “bishops” are being tracked by Rome so as not to break with the Apostolic line. I don’t think the Pope wants to create any controversy fearing the communists will retaliate which we know they’ve done without a reason...
I’ve posted some info here...
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/2711699/posts
The Communist government are running a church they call the Chinese Patriotic Catholic Church. The “bishops” have been selected by the communist government and there’s been attempts to get valid Catholic Bishops to ordain them thus making the “selected” legitimate predecessors of the Apostles - the Chinese government know what they’re doing.
“you don’t have a clue in what’s happening to the Catholic Church in China which makes you a wonderful PR pawn for the Communist Party.”
How dare you! Don’t you know that the only people in the world are American protestants living in the US? Some are even expecting to leave their SUVs by air and continue their existence in a heavenly suburbia.
History, what history? You mean those little brown and yellow people? /s
It seems that
for increasing numbers, there’s little difference . . . South America all over again.
Three posts before someone tries to take the thread off topic.
Gamecock must have really hit a nerve.
Perhaps you could read and address THIS article and explain what Catholic bishops are doing running for ANY political office, much less the communist one.
What’s the matter? Don’t they have enough to do to keep them busy shepherding the flock under their care?
Check and read posts #7&8 which will give you a smidgeon of information as to what’s happening in China. When you do that you will understand this article.
As for “someone” changing the topic. I believe that lies with the individual who traveled from China to South America in only one post. An amazing feat.
Maybe you failed civics along with history, ancient languages, theology and philosophy. In case you didn't realize it Vietnam does not have a two party system so the only way for any Christian to influence governmental policy is from the inside.
Priests shouldn’t be involved in politics. Just ask that carpetbagger Barney Frank.
This makes me think of China and Bishop Fan. It was a sad day when I heard the he had died (or very likely been killed):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Joseph_Fan_Xueyan
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