Vietnam is set to host its first-ever Catholic beatification ceremony, with church leaders calling it a powerful symbol of national unity, religious harmony and hope for the future.
On July 2, the Catholic Church in Vietnam will celebrate the beatification Mass of Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep at the Tac Say Pilgrimage Center in Ca Mau Province. Speaking with VietNamNet, Father Phero Vu Van Hai, Rector of Can Tho Cathedral and Vicar General of the Diocese of Can Tho, shared his thoughts on the significance of this historic event.
Father Phero Vu Van Hai, Rector of Can Tho Cathedral and Vicar General of the Diocese of Can Tho. Photo: Tao Dat.
The Holy See's decision to hold the beatification Mass for Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep in Vietnam - marking the first time a beatification ceremony has ever taken place in the country - is considered a milestone. What does this mean for the Catholic Church in Vietnam in general and for the Diocese of Can Tho in particular?
Father Phero Vu Van Hai: This is an extraordinary milestone in the history of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. Never before has a beatification ceremony been celebrated on Vietnamese soil.
The Holy See's decision to choose Tac Say - where Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep lived, carried out his pastoral ministry and ultimately gave his life for his flock - carries profound meaning.
First and foremost, it is a recognition and tribute paid on the very land where he lived and died in service of his people. Local residents, many of whom have preserved memories of Father Diep through generations, will now have the opportunity to take part in this historic celebration.
On a deeper level, Father Diep's sacrifice is no longer simply part of the history of the Diocese of Can Tho. It has become a spiritual landmark for the Catholic Church in Vietnam.
It is a story of hope - hope nurtured by the seeds of the Gospel that took root in Vietnam and watered by the blood of the country's martyrs, including Father Diep.
Father Diep chose to remain with his parishioners, accepting death for the sake of his flock. That decision has given his legacy enduring life within the community, inspiring hope not only among Vietnamese Catholics but also among the Vietnamese people as a whole.
I believe these values extend beyond the Catholic community. In Vietnamese culture, virtues such as filial piety, compassion and self-sacrifice for the common good have always been deeply respected. That is why Father Diep has become a figure with whom many people can identify, regardless of their religious beliefs.
For the Diocese of Can Tho, this is both a great joy and a reminder of our responsibility to continue the path Father Diep chose - serving the community, promoting dialogue, fostering harmony, loving without discrimination and caring especially for those who are poor and vulnerable.
Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep baptizes catechumens. Photo: Diocese of Can Tho.
The beatification Mass is expected to attract more than 70,000 Catholics and pilgrims. What messages do you hope this celebration will spread regarding national unity, religious harmony, the spirit of living a good life while practicing one's faith, and contributing positively to Vietnam's development in this new era?
Father Phero Vu Van Hai: With only a few days remaining before the beatification Mass, the preparation itself has already become something very special.
Father Diep has become a point of convergence for people from different backgrounds and perspectives, all united by their admiration for him.
Everyone making their way to Tac Say shares the desire to spread the noble values embodied in his life and death. Those values are concrete - integrity, defending the poor, unconditional love and the willingness to sacrifice for others.
Throughout the preparations, not only has the Catholic community worked together, but we have also received strong support from many sectors of society, from ordinary citizens to government authorities at every level.
As tens of thousands of people gather in Tac Say - not only from across Vietnam but also from many countries and cultures - I believe we will witness "a beautiful portrait with many colors" of national unity and religious solidarity.
That portrait reflects not only the life of the Catholic community but also the face of Vietnam today - a society that is harmonious, open and warmly welcoming to all.
Pilgrims visit the resting place of Father Diep at Tac Say Church ahead of the beatification Mass. Photo: Tao Dat.
Tac Say Church in Ca Mau Province, where the beatification Mass for Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep will be held on July 2. Photo: Tao Dat.
As Vietnam continues its development, religious freedom has remained an issue of special attention for the Party and the State. In light of the beatification of Father Phanxico Xavie Truong Buu Diep, how do you view the state of religious freedom in Vietnam?
Father Phero Vu Van Hai: I believe Vietnam's approach is a sound one. As we have said, this beatification Mass is a remarkable milestone.
Throughout the preparations, we have received active support from government authorities at every level, from the central government to local administrations. Beyond organizational assistance, numerous meetings have been held to listen, exchange ideas and work together to ensure that the event is conducted with dignity, safety and efficiency.
This reflects a spirit of respect, cooperation and support for religious activities so they can take place in a stable manner while contributing positively to society as a whole.
The preparations for this celebration offer a vivid illustration of religious freedom in Vietnam.
Father Truong Buu Diep lived a life of exemplary sacrifice
According to Father Giuse Vo Van Hoai, Pastor of Tac Say Parish, the beatification Mass for Father Truong Buu Diep will be held on July 2 at Tac Say Church in Ca Mau Province. The liturgy will be presided over by Cardinal Luis Antonio G. Tagle, Pro-Prefect of the Section for the First Evangelization of the Dicastery for Evangelization, acting on behalf of the Holy See.
The event is widely regarded as a landmark for the Catholic Church in Vietnam, marking the first time a beatification ceremony has ever been celebrated in the country.
Father Cao Gia An, S.J., Associate Professor of Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, said beatification is the Church's recognition of a person who lived a life of love and remained faithful to the faith to such an extent that his or her entire life became a living witness to the presence of God.
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