HCMC CATHOLICS HOLD PRAYER VIGILS FOR THAI HA PARISHIONERS

UNCLAS HO CHI MINH CITY 001071 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH AND DRL/IRF E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM KIRF PGOV VM SUBJECT: HCMC CATHOLICS HOLD PRAYER VIGILS FOR THAI HA PARISHIONERS REF: Hanoi 1165 and previous ¶1. (SBU) SUMMARY: In solidarity with their brethren in Hanoi, thousands of Catholics gathered at the Redemptorist Church in Ho Chi Minh City recently to pray for the eight Thai Ha parishioners tried this week for disturbing the public order and damaging property. Police and security personnel were present but did nothing to stop or disturb the vigil. Other churches in the area also held smaller vigils to show their support. This is the second candlelight vigil HCMC Catholics have held since the Thai Ha parish restarted large-scale prayer vigils at the site of a land dispute in Hanoi in August. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) On November 30, 2008, over 5,000 Catholics joined in a candlelight vigil organized by the Province of the Vietnam Redemptorist Order at the Mother of Perpetual Help Church in District 3 of Ho Chi Minh City to show their solidarity and support for the eight Thai Ha Catholic parishioners who stood trial on December 8, 2008 (reftel). The vigil was led by Head Priest Vincent Pham Trung Thanh. Reports from eyewitnesses and Catholic websites recounted a peaceful event. Pictures of the eight parishioners were shown on a large screen as church leaders spoke about the difficulties the eight faced, including the lack of access to legal counsel for some defendants. Dozens of policemen present took photos and videotaped the vigil, but did nothing to prevent or restrict the members from gathering and praying. ¶3. (SBU) According to one Redemptorist priest, district and ward authorities approached the organizers prior to the vigil and suggested that the Church call off the meeting, but backed off at the organizers' insistence and allowed the Church to carry on with their initial plans. Afterward, a People's Committee representative from District 3 invited Fr. Nguyen Quang Duy, the Superior of the city's Redemptorist District Monastery, to express his concern over the "security issues" raised by the vigil. Father Duy indicated that the government officials were polite and simply suggested that the Church notify them of any future gatherings in advance so they could "better assist." ¶4. (SBU) The November vigil was not the first time Catholics outside of Hanoi have expressed their support for the Thai Ha parishioners. Redemptorist priest and political activist Father Chan Tin informed post of a similar vigil held by the Redemptorists on September 24, which also went peacefully and smoothly. Approximately 7,000 people attended the vigil and prayed for "justice, peace, and a better future for Vietnam and the Catholic Church." Smaller vigils were also organized by Redemptorist orders in Hue, Vinh, Gia Lai and Quang Nam provinces. Thai Ha parish held a final pre-trial vigil to support the detainees on December 6, 2008 in Hanoi. ¶5. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Hanoi. FAIRFAX