CH02581.1447 May 30, 2007 41 EM-lines (434 words) CHINA    Jailed Wenzhou Priest Released Provisionally For Medical Treatment HONG KONG (UCAN) -- One of two "underground" Chinese priests jailed for "illegal exit" after a trip abroad was released provisionally for medical treatment in mid-May, about one-and-a-half months before the end of his sentence. Vicar General Father Peter Shao Zhumin of Wenzhou was released due to severe hearing and gallstone problems. Following his arrest last September, he was sentenced in March to nine months in jail, with time already spent in detention applied to his sentence. The priest will soon undergo medical treatment in Beijing, Church sources told UCA News in late May. Father Shao and Father Paul Jiang Surang (alias Jiang Sunian), diocesan chancellor, were arrested together in Shenzhen on Sept. 25, 2006, after returning from a pilgrimage to Europe. According to Church sources in Wenzhou, Father Shao has suffered from a hearing problem for years, but it has worsened since his detention last fall. The nerves in his right ear are not functioning well, and he is almost deaf now, they said. At the same time, he has been diagnosed as having gallstones in his right bile duct, they added. A Catholic source who contacted Father Shao after he was released told UCA News May 25 that the formerly chubby vicar general looked slimmer now, but was otherwise in good spirits. The source said the priest joked about his size, saying his body "now conforms to international standards." The source added that many Catholics are worried about him and Father Jiang, who remains in jail. Father Shao told the source that his ear problem was evident during the trial, as he could not hear what the judge, the prosecutor and the lawyer were saying. He recalled that he was allowed to move around in the courtroom so he could hear the proceedings more clearly. Father Shao also said he "got accustomed" to the prison environment, but regretted that authorities confiscated all the photos he and Father Jiang took while on their pilgrimage to Rome and other places in Europe. While imprisoned, the two priests counseled some emotionally disturbed inmates who approached them for spiritual support. According to the source, the families of most of the inmates had abandoned them because of their wrongdoing. A source close to the Vatican told UCA News that Church leaders in Rome have been very concerned about the two Chinese priests and have been praying for them since their detention. Father Jiang, who earlier was jailed for illegally publishing hymnbooks, was sentenced to 11 months' imprisonment, also with his time in pretrial detention applied to the sentence. He is expected to be released in late August. END Related UCAN Reports CHINA Two Underground Priests, Arrested After Pilgrimage, Sentenced Six Months After Arrest (May 16, 2007) CHINA ‘Underground’ Wenzhou Church Leaders Charged And Likely To Face Trial (October 26, 2006) IA02580.1447 May 30, 2007 68 EM-lines (681 words) INDIA    Christians March Through New Delhi Seeking Action Against Violence NEW DELHI (UCAN) -- Approximately 1,000 Christians marched May 29 through the streets of New Delhi seeking federal action against increasing anti-Christian violence in the country. National-level Catholic and Protestant groups jointly organized the rally, which ended with a public meeting. Several leaders lamented the federal government's inaction toward attacks on Christian groups. In solidarity, about 100 Catholics gathered at a public ground in Mumbai (formerly Bombay), India's business capital and a Catholic stronghold in Maharashtra state, western India. At the New Delhi rally, people carried placards and banners which read "Violence does not bring peace," "Let Christians live and serve," "India carries the imprint of Christian services" and "Christians are only 2.5 percent of the population, why target us?" According to John Dayal, a rally organizer, Christian leaders have recorded at least 80 attacks on Christians nationwide since January. Most occurred in states ruled by the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP, Indian People's Party) but some reports came from states ruled by the secular Congress party. "It is not enough" for the federal government to say law and order is a state concern "while remaining mute spectators to violence against Christians," Dayal told the gathering. The Catholic activist is president of the All India Catholic Union. Reverend Madhu Chandra, another organizer, is an official of the All India Christian Council. He told UCA News the rally was planned when federal leaders did not act on a memorandum that Christian leaders submitted May 14. The memorandum was presented to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress leader Sonia Gandhi. Its text, released to press during the rally, expressed "deep concern" about "rising violence" against Christians across India. It mentioned that in two cases the attacks were recorded and televised nationally. "While many houses, churches, nuns and pastors are routinely attacked, we are grieved by the many cases where wives, daughters and sisters of pastors were dragged out of their homes and violence committed against them," it said. Police remained passive witnesses in most cases, but in others "actually connived with anti-social elements," it added. Dayal told the gathering that fault lies with the Congress-led federal government, which "was voted to power by the dalits, minorities and the poor, hoping it would at least protect them." The Sanskrit term dalit, which means "trampled upon" or "broken open," denotes the former untouchables at the bottom of the Indian caste system. Some 60 percent of India's 24 million Christians are dalit. Begum Fatima, a Muslim activist and president of the Indian Peace Organization, also addressed the rally. In most cases, she noted, Christians were attacked on accusations they converted poor and tribal people. "If dalits and other backward classes among Hindus are allowed to convert to Buddhism, Sikhism and Islam, then they should also be allowed to convert to Christianity," she added. Udit Raj, a dalit leader, told the gathering that backward Hindu groups supported the rally, just as the "Church and several Church-run NGOs" support "dalit liberation." Dalit and religious minorities have lost faith in the federal government, Raj said. He pointed out that a Congress-led coalition rules Maharashtra state, where two "Christian priests were beaten up openly." The same point was stressed at the Mumbai protest. "The Christian minority community has lost confidence" in the federal and Maharashtra state governments, Dolphy D'Souza of Bombay Catholic Sabha (council or forum) told the gathering. Four Jesuit priests were among the participants, but most protesters were women, including about 20 nuns. Mohammed Phir Zada, 63, a Muslim who joined the Catholic protest, said "it pained him immensely that some fanatic Hindu activists are attacking Christian priests." He expressed solidarity on behalf of Muslims. Abraham Mathai, a Protestant and vice chairman of the Maharashtra State Minority Commission, told the protesters that 1.9 million Christians in the state "live in fear, while fanatics attack priests, pastors and other Christians and go scot-free." The leaders of the New Delhi rally included Church of North India Bishop Karam Masih of Delhi; Arnold James, chairman of Delhi state's Commission for Minorities; and Joseph D'Souza, president of the All India Christian Council. END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code IA02580.1447 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports INDIA Minority Commission Confirms Attacks On Christians In States Under Pro-Hindu Party (June 22, 2006) INDIA Government Asks Minorities Commission To Study Christian Complaints (May 29, 2006) INDIA Minority Commission Urges Government To Check Anti-Christian Violence (September 9, 2005) IB02574.1447 May 30, 2007 88 EM-lines (No count of words) INDIA    UCAN Interview - 'My Faith Sustains Me In Politics' MANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- Compromising one's values will not advance one's political life much, according to Oscar Fernandes, a successful Catholic politician in India. The 66-year-old federal minister from Mangalore, in the southern state of Karnataka, says his Catholic faith has sustained him during his 35 years in politics. During that time, he has guided his Congress party as its national general secretary. Recently, he shared with UCA News how he lives his Catholic faith as an Indian politician. The interview follows: UCA NEWS: What motivated you to enter politics? OSCAR FERNANDES: It was my Catholic faith that motivated me. I was one of 12 children in my family, and I grew up with a strong Catholic background. As a child I was an altar boy, and as a youth I was active in Church activities. This active involvement with the Church really helped me to think bigger and get into politics. Moreover, I had over a dozen votes in my house itself (he laughs). As a public figure, do you see yourself more as a Catholic or a politician? I am both. I never separate my Catholic identity from politics. My faith is personal, and I never had to sacrifice my Catholic identity in politics. However busy I was, I never missed my family prayers, although I miss Sunday Mass sometimes. I believe that my religious identity is more a being and living, and it has been inseparable from my public life. Has being a Catholic in a predominantly Hindu country helped your political life? I feel, yes. India is a great nation with secular ideals. Here people do not discriminate against you in the name of religion; only politicians do. People are carried away by how you live your religious and personal life, rather than which god you believe in. I never hide my religious identity anywhere and never felt let down because of this. In fact, political life has been smooth and progressive because I believe in Jesus. Who is Jesus for you? Jesus has been a hero for me. He has been the greatest public servant, a revolutionary leader and selfless social activist. He is my role model and motivator. My religion believes in giving rather than receiving, sharing rather than bearing, and helping rather than being helped. I believe my political career was a special call and vocation for me. Politics and politicians are generally disliked. How can you make a difference in Indian politics? I believe in witnessing rather than preaching. I hardly preach Christianity, but the people of India know that I am a Christian. They see me praying, they see me happy and content, and they know that I love them. My principles are based on Christian values and I live them. I came into politics in 1972 by winning municipal council elections, and ever since I have lived a Catholic life and political career. Christians are, by and large, apathetic about politics. But of late, thanks to the efforts of Catholic Sabha (council), hundreds of Catholics have contested panchayat (village council) elections and won. Quite a number of Catholics from various states have also come into national politics. So their thinking is changing. What is Catholic Sabha? What were its objectives and what has it done so far? I was one of the founders of (Mangalore diocese's) Catholic Sabha, which has completed some three decades. It was started to protest an anti-conversion bill introduced in parliament in 1979. Later, it became one of the strongest Catholic lay movements. It has provided a platform for many Catholics to enter politics. It has helped many youths to get into civil service, encouraged Catholics to contest panchayat elections and get involved in other social-service activities. We now manage a special school and rehabilitation center for mentally retarded children. Though I am more active in national politics, I have never ignored the Catholic Sabha, my first step in politics. What are the challenges a committed Christian faces in politics? It is embarrassing to be amid politicians who believe in mere politics and compromise without scruples to further their political future. But I have neither compromised my Catholic identity nor sacrificed the values I inherited from my devout parents. And those values have been my strength. In politics, if you do not assert your identity, you will get nowhere. Christians now face persecution in India. As a Catholic minister, how do you respond to this? I think Christians are luckier and safer in India than in any other country. Indians are so accommodating and hospitable. India has welcomed and supported different religions and faiths. How can we say India is a bad place for Christianity? The problem is politically motivated and never culturally rooted. It is caused by aggressiveness from both sides -- politicians looking for an issue for vote banks and some Christians acting like a politician to push their faith. Both are not correct. Christianity has to spread through Christian witnessing rather than street preaching. I survived in Indian politics for the past three decades as a practicing Catholic. I was never persecuted for my faith. You always appear in public with your wife, never alone. Does this ever hinder you? It is never a bother, but my strength. We have been married for 25 years and never have we stayed separately. She is with me in all my success and failures, good days and bad days. Is it not Christian witness? I am what I am because of my parents and I want my children also to say that. So we are together and we nurture our children with a good Catholic background. Children will get settled and they will go. But a wife can never leave like that. I believe if we are successful in our family life, we will be successful everywhere. And if we pray together and are strong in our faith, we can move mountains. END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code IB02574.1447 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports INDIA Parliamentarian Says Minority Rights Will Be Protected (September 23, 1991) IE02563.1447 May 30, 2007 62 EM-lines (593 words) INDIA    Federal Minorities Official Visits Assam To Discuss Problems Christians Face GUWAHATI, India (UCAN) -- An official of the federal minority commission sat down recently with Christian leaders of northeastern India to discuss the community's problems in the region. Approximately 60 Catholic and Protestant leaders met Michael Pinto, vice president of the National Commission for Minorities, on May 18 in Guwahati, Assam state, 1,960 kilometers east of New Delhi. The meeting took place amid lingering uneasiness over two events that the Christian leaders said have "shocked" their communities. They want the commission to intervene in such troubles. One incident cited was the Assam government's demand to close a Christian cemetery in Guwahati. That case is now pending before the state high court. The other major incident was a government bid to build a parking lot on a 162-year-old Baptist property in the city. Christian protests forced the government to cancel the plan on April 23. Father Babu Joseph, spokesperson for the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI), and Father Vincent Chinnadurai, chairperson of the minority commission's Tamil Nadu unit, joined participants from all seven northeastern states. "Christians, being a minority, are facing problems on a day-to-day basis," Allen Brooks, a Catholic lay leader who organized the meeting, told UCA News. In Assam, Christians comprise 3.7 percent of 26.6 million people. Muslims, the other sizable minority group, account for 30.9 percent, according to official census figures. Brooks said only Muslims in the state get privileges meant for minority groups, even though Hindus, who are the majority, accuse the state government of appeasing minorities. The government "is only placating the Muslims," he lamented. "Other minorities are ignored." G. Santiago, another Christian leader in Assam, told UCA News the government's recent "arbitrary decisions" on Church properties have shocked people of all faiths. Every fifth person in Hindu-majority India is from a religious minority group, Pinto pointed out. "Minorities are part and parcel of India," continued the Christian member of the federal commission. India's diverse cultures, religions and languages, he maintained, "make up the mosaic that is India." Pinto also noted "an upsurge" in violence against Christian pastors in India, "because some fundamentalists think they are above the law." While insisting that "nobody is above the law," he contended that laws some state governments have enacted to stop alleged conversions by "fraud" and "allurement" are unwarranted, since existing laws are sufficient. These "anti-conversion" laws are seen as targeting Christian missioners. The Church should focus on "politics of aspirations and empowerment," Pinto suggested, instead of miring itself in "politics of grievances." He wants it to invest in technical education and maintain its educational quality without sacrificing its pro-poor stand. Specifically he called for Church leaders to offer poor and socially disadvantaged people access to skills training. Turning specifically to Christians in northeastern India, Pinto called for a united "road map" that "can take us ahead." "The idea is to make our country strong," he said. Father Joseph encouraged the gathering to foster better coordination with various organizations, such as the Ministry for Minorities, National Human Rights Commission, National Tribal Commission and National Commission for Women. Speaking with UCA News after the meeting, the Church official said he has "never seen a better ecumenical spirit" than what he saw among Christians in the northeastern region. "Great things can be achieved if we maintain this relationship," he added. Father Chinnadurai said Christians in southern states would help their northeastern India brethren protect their rights through networking and advocacy. Dhojen Borgary, 34, a Baptist leader from Assam, found the program "very relevant," since he sees persecution of Christians increasing in "our area." END Related UCAN Reports INDIA New Christian Representative On Minority Commission Promises To End Atrocities (June 29, 2006) INDIA Government Asks Minorities Commission To Study Christian Complaints (May 29, 2006) INDIA Catholic, Protestant Churches See New Federal Initiatives For Minorities As Positive Step (July 8, 2004) IJ02557.1447 May 30, 2007 66 EM-lines (666 words) INDONESIA    President Asks Catholic Church To Participate In National Development JAKARTA (UCAN) -- President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has called on the Catholic Church in Indonesia to develop the nation and its culture through harmony and tolerance. "As Indonesian citizens, Catholics should participate in developing the nation and the country," the president urged in his address at the formal celebration for the 200th anniversary of Jakarta archdiocese. About 7,000 Catholics of the archdiocese attended the five-hour celebration on May 26 at Istora Sport Hall. Titled The More Faithful to the Lord, the More Loyal to the Society and the Nation, The celebration began with a Mass led by Jesuit Cardinal Julius Riyadi Darmaatmadja of Jakarta. The 26 other prelates who concelebrated included Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, apostolic nuncio to Indonesia. His secretary, Monsignor Novatus Rugambwa, was among the 100 priest concelebrants. Also present for the president's address were Cabinet ministers, interfaith figures, priests, Religious and seminarians. The president said Indonesian Catholics have the same rights and obligations to develop the nation as the country's other believers. He asked all Indonesians to face social change and transformation by building a culture of peace and eliminating behavior that is not constructive or ethical. Instead, Indonesians must "develop supportive behavior, respect others and maintain a critical attitude and concern." They need to be ready and willing to work hard and master knowledge while also building harmony, the president continued. He asked social and religious leaders, including Catholic leaders, "to make your people's character strong," asserting that progress and welfare depend a great deal on character. "Catholic leaders must participate in developing post-crisis reformation by teaching religion and morality," the president told them. This will "make your people strong, and help them live in harmony with all components of the nation." In a message read by Archbishop Girelli, Pope Benedict XVI urged Catholics "to be Good News witnesses who are faithful to the whole mystery of the Son of God, with ways in line with the nation's tastes but faithful to the Bible and traditions." After the Mass, participants listened to parish choirs and Catholic singers, and watched a documentary entitled Sampah (garbage). The film showed one way in which Catholics work for a better society, by clearing the trash that has become an endemic problem in some parts of the country. Stephanus Dwiatmoko, a parishioner of Holy Family Church in Pasar Minggu, South Jakarta, told UCA News he is proud to be a Jakarta Catholic "because I have been guided to love others more." In the future, he hopes the archdiocese improves its mission to help the materially and spiritually poor. Maria Christina Junita of Trinity Church in Cengkareng, West Jakarta, said that "besides caring for the poor, Catholics of Jakarta must dialogue with other believers." The cardinal explained that the bicentennial event "celebrated the appointment of the first Church leader in Batavia, the old name of Jakarta." Pope Pius VII appointed Father Jacobus Nellissen as the first apostolic prefect of Batavia "on May 8, 1807, for Nusantara, the whole Indonesia archipelago." It remained the only Church jurisdiction in Indonesia until 1902, by which time it had become a vicariate, led by three apostolic prefects and eight apostolic vicars. The last vicar was appointed archbishop, and two others have followed including Cardinal Darmaatmadja. "The 200-year history can be divided into two parts. During the first 100 or so years, up until 1902, the territory of Jakarta diocese covered Nusantara. During the second 100 years, since 1902, Nusantara was divided into other dioceses. Now there are 37 dioceses," the cardinal explained. "Thus, this celebration is special for the Archdiocese of Jakarta, but it is also a celebration for all dioceses, because they originated from the one diocese of Batavia," he concluded. On Jan. 3, 1961, Pope John Paul XXIII established a Catholic hierarchy in Indonesia. Jakarta was declared an archdiocese, and Jesuit Archbishop Adrianus Djajasepoetra, a Javanese nobleman, became its first archbishop. The archdiocese now has 59 parishes with almost 500,000 Catholics served by 233 priests, 561 Religious sisters and 50 Religious brothers. END (Accompanying photos available with the UCAN Photo Service. Use story code IJ02557.1447 or a person's name to search for related photos.) Related UCAN Reports INDONESIA Young Jakarta Catholics Commit To Jesus, Church And Society (April 30, 2007) INDONESIA Jakarta Church Called To Rethink Attitude Toward People With Disabilities (June 14, 2006) INDONESIA Jakarta Church Leaders Encourage Workers To Strive For Common Good (May 3, 2006) INDONESIA Cardinal Urges Catholic Medical Workers To Base Service On Faith (March 29, 2006) INDONESIA Cardinal Urges Young People To Be Involved In Developing Church (March 14, 2006) INDONESIA Health Service Prioritized As Jakarta Archdiocese Marks 200th Anniversary (June 28, 2005) PA02560.1447 May 30, 2007 57 EM-lines (631 words) PAKISTAN    Catholic-Muslim Family Shares Its 'Blend' Of Religions In Wake Of Mother's Death LAHORE, Pakistan (UCAN) -- For the third time in his life, Habib Ahmad, a Muslim, entered a Catholic church. This time he came to attend a memorial Mass for his wife concelebrated by their son, a Capuchin priest. More than 500 Catholics including 30 priests, 50 nuns and dozens of seminarians attended the Mass for Maria Habib, who died in a car accident on May 12 at the age of 81. The May 19 memorial liturgy at St. Joseph's Church in Lahore was celebrated a week after her funeral, also held at the same church. Father Abid Habib concelebrated the Mass, at which Bishop Joseph Coutts of Faisalabad presided. A few Muslim relatives also attended. During his homily, Father Habib showed slides of his mother from childhood through to old age. He referred to her as a person who displayed "a dialogue of life and practical example of interfaith harmony." Later, both father and son shared with UCA News about their family life. Maria was born into a Catholic family in Goa, India. She married Ahmad, a Muslim army officer, in 1950 at Sacred Heart Cathedral in Lahore, 270 kilometers southeast of Islamabad. "We loved each other and respected each other's religion," Ahmad said, adding that they hardly ever quarreled over religion. "Maria agreed to my marriage proposal on the condition that she would never leave her Christian faith." He described his 57 years of marriage as a beautiful blend of two religions. All five sons and two daughters were raised Catholic. "Only once did I stop the family from praying at home in a Christian fashion and going to church. But later I changed my mind," he recalled. Father Habib, who is also Lahore regional coordinator for the Pakistan major Religious superiors' Justice and Peace Commission, said he remembered his father taking the whole family to church in his younger days. "He used to stay outside the church or read newspapers in the parish house while we attended Mass," the priest recounted. He also remembered the Christian and Muslim festivals that his family and relatives celebrated together. "I never had any problem with cousins over religious issues, since we never discussed religion." Father Habib also said that his mother had asked to be buried according to Muslim customs, so her body was wrapped in kafan, a white shroud, and placed coffinless in the grave. Ethina Niassari, a close friend of Maria, shared with UCA News how the deceased used her musical talents as a member of the St. Joseph choir. She described Maria as "a talented violinist, and a great helper of the poor, needy and downtrodden." According to Father Francis Nadeem, who heads the Capuchins' Pakistan vice province, Ahmad's family is the only Muslim-Catholic family in the country that has a son who is a priest. Father Nadeem, who is also the patron of the National Council for Inter-Faith Dialogue, pointed out that Ahmad and Maria's way of handling their different religious identities is uncommon. "Christians who marry Muslims mostly end up accepting their partner's religion and submitting to this Muslim-dominated society. A few silently adhere to Christianity, but it is very rare that love overcomes religious pressure," he said. Father Habib, as a priest, has occasion to draw on his experience as part of an interfaith family. He is in contact with a few Christian women who have married Muslim men and officially converted to Islam, but still want to keep in touch with their Christian faith. He said he encourages them to maintain their faith through prayer, especially the rosary. Christians who convert to Islam because they marry a Muslim "must not be rejected" by their family or faith community, he insisted. "My message to them," he said, "is to remain faithful. God will find a way." END Related UCAN Reports PAKISTAN Christians, Muslims Issue Joint Statement On Pope's Controversial Speech (September 22, 2006) PAKISTAN Interfaith Prayers, Various Protests Condemn Attacks Against Lebanon (August 7, 2006) PAKISTAN Religious Leaders Reaffirm Commitment To Peace, Harmony (June 21, 2006) VT02562.1447 May 30, 2007 61 EM-lines (706 words) VIETNAM    Parish Helps Ethnic-Minority Workers Integrate Into Local Community GO XOAI, Vietnam (UCAN) -- Two years ago Siu Gich, a member of the Gia Rai ethnic minority, felt embarrassed and self-conscious walking into a church full of Kinh (majority Vietnamese) people. "They looked at us as if we came from another world," said Gich, a dark-skinned migrant worker who typifies her central highland community by wearing traditional clothes. "But now many of them are friendly with us," she told UCA News. The 19-year-old is one of 80 Gia Rai who are part of the Go Xoai parish community in Dong Nai province, 1,684 kilometers south of Ha Noi. These central highlanders, all from Gia Lai province, have been working since 2005 for a local furniture factory run by a Kinh Catholic. They polish and paint furniture, and pack and carry boxes. "Local Catholics not only provide material and spiritual support but also share their joys and sorrows with us," said Gich, who plans to reside here permanently. She and other workers "got over our homesickness when we were invited to join the parish's Legion of Mary." The group has evening meetings and prayers on Thursdays and Sundays, she said. Joseph Ruh Son, 26, told UCA News that Dominican nuns brought them to work in this company because they did not have jobs in their home province. Gia Rai people traditionally made a living by cultivating rice and later earned money by felling trees, but Son said the forests have now disappeared and more and more farmland is being converted to housing projects. He pointed out that Gia Rai people are not used to living away from their communities, but young people now see leaving their villages for jobs in southern provinces as their only choice. He said most of them find work only as manual laborers because they are unskilled with little education. At the furniture factory, Son earns 1 million dong (US$62) a month. He said he sends 600,000 dong to his family back in Gia Lai province. Along with a steady income, he now has a steady faith life, attending parish activities regularly and going to church several times a week. In the past he rarely attended Mass, since his village does not have a resident priest, he explained. "There is no longer discrimination against us. I am very happy when local people call me by my name," he continued. Dominic Iban, 22, another migrant worker, told UCA News he used to get angry and hit anyone who offended him. But "now my temperament has changed and I love all people, ever since local people treated me with respect." Thomas Tran Quoc Han, head of the parish council, told UCA News the parish organizes exchange meetings and summer camps for ethnic-minority workers and youths in the parish. They perform traditional dances and compete in sports against youths from neighboring parishes. The Gia Rai parishioners also receive gifts of clothing, blankets, mosquito nets, food and soap during Tet, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year festival, and Christmas. Dominican nuns in the parish provide medicine and health care when they fall ill, Han added. According to the parish council head, "we give them opportunities to take part in parish life," and they eagerly join in. Before March 19, when the parish celebrated the feast of Saint Joseph, its patron, they helped clean the church, he said. In the evenings, some young Kinh Catholics visit boarding houses where the Gia Rai stay to listen to them play guitar and sing. Thomas Tran Duc Doan, 20, told UCA News the Gia Rai sing well and are friendly. "I want to be their friend," he added. Marie R'Cham Than, a Gia Rai worker, told UCA News they leave the boarding house at 6 a.m. and return at 6 p.m. At first the transplanted rural dwellers left work midway through the day, unable to cope with the dusty environment or follow factory rules and schedules. The company criticized them, "but local Catholics encouraged us and helped us understand work regulations," she said. According to Han, Go Xoai parish has 700 Catholics. Father Vincent Nguyen Trinh An of neighboring Dai An parish serves as their parish priest since Father Joseph Pham Son Lam went to study in the Philippines early this year. END Related UCAN Reports VIETNAM Internal Migrant Workers Benefit From Salesian-Run Water Project (March 7, 2007) VIETNAM Church Launches 'Week For Migrants' To Strengthen Faith (February 7, 2007) VIETNAM Lenten Retreat Allows Migrant Workers To Share Hopes, Difficulties With Local Church (April 17, 2006) VIETNAM Urban Parishes Offers Migrant Workers Pastoral Care, Other Services (June 17, 2005)