Thousands of Catholics in California show their solidarity to the Church in Vietnam while tensions between the Church and the government mount as the issue of illegally-seized Church properties is not solved and local authorities accuse Hanoi’s archbishop of using freedom of religion to provoke protests against the government.

Candlelight Vigil at St. Maria Goretti, San José, California

Slide show at St. Elizabeth Church, Milpitas, California

Signing petitions at Our Lady of Assumption Church

California - More than two thousands parishioners of St. Maria Goretti in San José, California, USA attended a Candlelight Vigil on Saturday 19 January to pray for the Church in Vietnam. In the Mass concelebrated by five priests, there were special prayers for Hanoi Catholics who have protested for more than a month for the return of properties that belonged to parish churches, seminaries, and the old apostolic delegation illegally seized in the past.

A slide show of ongoing peaceful prayer protests of Hanoi Catholics, despite government threats hinting that a crackdown was likely, caught the congregation’s emotions. Tears broke forth again and again with pictures showing that Hanoi Catholics have been praying earnestly not only for the justice to triumph but also for the conversion of those who have been treating them as second-class citizens or even a national security threat.

“I feel proud of my brothers and sisters in Hanoi”, said a parishioner, “They have become increasingly vocal about past and current religious freedom abuses”. “Their fight for justice is peaceful yet determined." said another, "They bear a strong public witness of the Gospel's message even when they are forced to stand up and confront with a brutal dictatorship system.”

Parishioners including a large group of American Catholics signed petitions to U.S. president George W. Bush, politicians, and Bishops to urge the government of Vietnam to meet certain benchmarks consistent with international religious freedom standards and find equitable solutions on returning confiscated properties to religious groups.

Another Candlelight Vigil held in St. Elizabeth Church, Milpitas, California drawing a thousand Catholics. Fr. Victor Tran, the celebrant, could not finish a prayer as he dived into a breadth of emotions recalling persecutions of the Church in Vietnam. The congregation burst into tears as well.

In Claremont, Los Angeles, another Candlelight Vigil held in Our Lady of Assumption Church drawing another thousand of Vietnamese Catholics.