Pastoral Arts Associates of North America
December 4, 1998
VIETNAM CATHOLICS URGED TO JOIN GOVERNMENT-INITIATED CAMPAIGN FOR THE POOR
HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam (UCAN) -- Archbishop Jean Baptiste Pham Minh Man of Ho Chi Minh City has called on Catholics in the archdiocese to support a city housing campaign for the poor.
The archdiocese proposes to raise 750 million dong (US$54,000) for 150 housing units, according to Archbishop Man, who unveiled the plan at the priests' annual retreat in September.
The Ho Chi Minh City government initiated the campaign last July as part of a 10-year campaign to build housing for families of war dead or infirm veterans to honor their sacrifice for national liberation and independence.
Each "nha tinh thuong" (compassion house) requires 5 million dong, just enough to build a new thatched house or repair a dilapidated home. More Catholic participation will mean more housing, said Marie Nguyen Thi Tin.
"I look forward to Sundays when I can donate the little money I have saved in the week. I did not think that I could contribute anything before to the building of a house for poor people," said Tin, of Thi Nghe parish.
In Man Coi (Holy Rosary) parish of Tan Binh district, children responded to the parish priest's call by getting a piggy bank in each catechism class.
"I support this campaign because poor people can have a decent life if they have decent shelter," said Marie Dang Ngoc Thy of Phu Nhuan parish in Ho Chi Minh City. "This is a concrete way for better-off families to share something with poor people and promote the spirit of mutual help," she added.
The city government said a recent survey showed that the 4,000 poorest households should be rebuilt and set a target date of the year 2000.
The city also runs a campaign to eradicate hunger and poverty in a scheme to help poor people who are victims of the country's transition economy.