HO CHI MINH CITY (UCAN): The Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City along with four other dioceses in southern Vietnam resumed normal religious services six weeks after a massive surge in Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) cases which began in Da Nang (Sunday Examiner, August 2). All services had been suspended since July 31.
Father Peter Kieu Cong Tung, the archdiocesan chancellor, said that some 40 days on, the spread of Covid-19 had eased and that there were no new community infections in Ho Chi Minh City thanks to the effective implementation of strong measures.
Father Tung called on people “to share the good news with the local community and thank God for spiritual experiences and messages they received from the deadly pandemic.”
He asked local priests and Catholic communities to resume all pastoral activities and liturgical services as per usual from the evening of September 7. He cautioned them to be “vigilant and ready” to deal with Covid-19 by strictly following precautionary measures advised by health officials.
Father Tung called on Catholics to continue offering daily sacrifices and good deeds, and to pray for the world to escape the Covid-19 crisis soon.
Anna Nguyen Thi Nhuan, from the parish of Tong Viet Buong, said she is happy to attend daily Masses and receive the Eucharist at church again.
The mother of six said it is good to resume religious activities.
She said many people, especially children, would ignore Church activities and religious life if social distancing lasted longer.
Bishop Joseph Dang Duc Ngan of Da Nang, allowed religious activities in Quang Nam province to return to normal on September 6 after local authorities relaxed social distancing measures. However in Da Nang itself all public gatherings and religious services are still on hold
In central Vietnam, the Diocese of Nha Trang restarted daily services and gatherings with many people on September 5 after the local government allowed religious activities, wedding parties, bars, discotheques, massage parlors, karaoke bars and other public services to reopen.
The dioceses of Ba Ria and Xuan Loc had earlier returned to normal life.
Religious activities with high attendance are still suspended in the archdioceses of Hanoi and Hue, and four dioceses of Ban Me Thuot, Can Tho, Da Lat, Hung Hoa and Phu Cuong.
As of September 10, Vietnam had reported 1,054 Covid-19 cases including 35 deaths.
