The archdiocese of the capital of Vietnam has opened a special one-year synod to mark two important milestones in its history and to develop pastoral plans for the future.
On November 24, Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hanoi presided over the feast of the 117 Vietnamese martyrs at Saint Joseph Cathedral. Cardinal Emeritus Archbishop Peter Nguyen Van Nhon, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus Laurance Chu Van Minh and all local priests were present at the ceremony broadcast on the Archdiocese’s website.
Archbishop Thien has said that an Archdiocesan Synod will be convened to mark the 110th anniversary of Ke So Council, an important event in the history of the Vietnamese Church, in 2022. The synod will also look forward to celebrating the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first foreign missionaries in Hanoi in 2027.
“This is a great opportunity for us to review the historical periods that have left many indelible marks on the Vietnamese Church, especially the Archdiocese of Hanoi,” he said. Residents will gain a better understanding of the faith life of their ancestors and keep the tradition of faith alive in their mission to preach the gospel of salvation.
“We are also more responsible for studying, living and expressing our faith in a turbulent and rapidly changing society with positive and negative influences,” he said. In this context, renewing the life of faith is essential for local Catholics to find direction and be faithful to the mission of evangelization.
“We think and act together to renew and build organizational structures with the aim of building communion among all members of God’s people, opening a dialogue with other religions and social organizations in order to present the image of a Open church, sincerely engaged and traveling with the nation for the good of his compatriots, ”he said.
It also aims to renovate administrative structures and religious practices according to the conscience of the faithful in modern times.
Noting that the Ke So Council has shown that solidarity has built great strength and produced positive results for apostolic activities, the prelate said that the synod of the archdiocese will be a milestone in the history of the local Church. , a proud continuation of the tradition of ancestors and will shape a bright future for local people.
Archbishop Thien said the synod will focus on the pastoral dimension, which includes looking back to the past with deep gratitude to God and ancestors, discerning current challenges through the prism of faith.
It also aims to renovate administrative structures and religious practices according to the conscience of the faithful in modern times.
He said the appropriate pastoral guidance is to help local people live their faith in the new social context, stimulate evangelistic activities and create a civilization of love in the nation.
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He said the synod will take St. Peter Truong Van Duong as its official patron. Born in the parish of So Kien in 1808, the young catechist was killed for his faith on December 18, 1838, when he was 30 years old.
He said the recognition of the saint as patron of the synod was intended to support the role of the laity in all activities of the local Church and to invite everyone, especially young people, to follow the saint’s shining examples by studying the Catholic teaching to deepen their faith and introduce the faith to other people.
He said seminars on pastoral issues will be held for the local population in seven deaneries with 173 parishes in 2022 as necessary preparations for the synod congress from November 19-24, 2022. A thanksgiving mass concluding the he year of the synod will take place at the Basilica of So Kien. .
The Ke So Council, which attracted six bishops and 12 priests from the seven northern dioceses of Bac Ninh, Bui Chu, Hai Phong, Hanoi, Hung Hoa, Phat Diem and Vinh in November 1912 to the old Ke So Cathedral, now So Kien Minor Basilica in the province of Ha Nam under the administration of the Archdiocese of Hanoi.
Council participants provided practical guidance on managing church property and records
The council aimed to provide pastoral instruction to local Catholics to live out their faith and integrate into a new situation after the bloody persecution against them ends.
It has published official regulations on the responsibilities and duties of the local clergy, missionaries, catechists, seminaries and orders, and on the celebration and reception of the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, confession, anointing, ordination and marriage.
Priests were invited to take care of the people’s faith life: diligently attend Masses, refrain from unnecessary servile work and business, fast and refrain from eating, take care of neophytes and avoid superstitions.
Council participants provided practical guidance on managing church property and records, and encouraged priests and religious to establish schools, orphanages, and hospitals.
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