Catholicism vs. Communism, Continued: The Catholic Church in Vietnam

Abstract

To what extent can the Catholic Church in Vietnam contribute to both social and political change? Traditionally, scholars have often focused on countries with large Catholic populations, such as Poland or the Philippines, to exemplify the Church's ability to promote political liberalization, while countries with smaller Catholic populations have been largely overlooked. By examining the confrontations and negotiations between the Catholic Church and the communist state in Vietnam, this article demonstrates that such an oversight precludes the recognition of key figures and initiatives that may bring about significant political change.

To co-opt or coerce? State capacity, regime strategy, and organized religion in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam

“…Since 1983, the CPV has attempted to co-opt Catholic hierarchy through the CSPVC (Committee for the Solidarity of Patriotic Vietnamese Catholics), an organization which has sought to create patriotic priests (Chu, 2008: 270). While Chu (2008) is skeptical regarding the regime's success in this effort, this organization demonstrates the bureaucratic/administrative reach of the state into the realm of religious practice.…”

A Century of Protestantism in Vietnam

“…Демократическая Республика Вьетнам запретила работу в стране иностранных миссионеров. Отношение к католической церкви смягчилось вследствие демократических изменений Церкви после Второго Ватиканского собора (также на соборе было разрешено поклонение предкам), а также благодаря поддержке Папой Павлом VI прекращения войны 21 . Отношение Коммунистической партии Вьетнама к религии было мягче, по сравнению с Китаем эпохи Мао Цзэдуна.…”

The management of minority heritage: critical challenges to Vietnamese Catholic heritage seen from the case study of Bui Chu Cathedral

“…However, the Catholic hierarchy refused, considering this "a danger to the unity of the Church in Vietnam" and preventing the Catholic priests from joining this organisation (Nguyen 1979, 200). In Vietnam, therefore, the Catholic church remains under control from Rome, and there was never the establishment of a socalled "patriotic church", in contrast to the situation in China (Chu 2008). 9 Since Vietnam's reunification in 1975, there have been tensions and disputes between the State and the Catholics over the freedom of religious practices and church property.…”