Religious compatriots actively contribute to Dong Nai ‘s development

(ĐN) - In the recent meeting with religious organizations on the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2025, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Ho Thanh Son stated that the province always hopes that religious dignitaries and followers will continue to unite, propagate, and mobilize believers to contribute to the development of Dong Nai province. 

Auxiliary Bishop of Xuan Loc Diocese Nguyen Tuan Anh congratulates Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Ho Thanh Son on the New Year.

Auxiliary Bishop of Xuan Loc Diocese Nguyen Tuan Anh congratulated Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee Ho Thanh Son on the New Year. Photo: S. Thao 

Leaders of religious organizations expressed their agreement and commitment to promote and mobilize believers to actively participate in patriotic emulation movements implemented in the province. 

Efforts for unity 

According to Nguyen Dinh Kien, Head of the Provincial Religious Affairs Committee, in recent times, the relationship between religious organizations, between the dignitaries of different religions, and their followers has been harmonious, with cooperation in implementing patriotic emulation movements. Specifically, during major holidays of each religion and during Tet, religious dignitaries organize mutual visits and congratulations. 

Venerable Thich Hue Khai, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province, stated that the activities of visiting and congratulating other religions during major holidays have a very positive impact on believers because when religious organizations are harmonious, their followers are also harmonious. 

Venerable THICH HUE KHAI, Head of the Executive Board of the Vietnam's Buddhist Sangha in the province, shared that the Buddhist work in the province in recent years has always received significant attention and support from the Provincial Party Committee - People's Council - People's Committee - Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province. Buddhism in Dong Nai has mobilized nearly 200 billion VND to work alongside local authorities on social welfare issues. In the near future, Buddhism in Dong Nai will continue to promote its role in protecting the country and serving the people, guiding dignitaries, clergymen, and followers to act in accordance with the Constitution and law and strictly follow the charter of the Sangha. 

According to Auxiliary Bishop of Xuan Loc Diocese Nguyen Tuan Anh, during Christmas, New Year, and many other significant holidays, the Xuan Loc Bishopric warmly welcomes the Executive Board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha in the province for visits and congratulations. The district-level executive board of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha, as well as dignitaries, also dedicates time to visit and inquire about parishes and priests. Conversely, the Xuan Loc Bishopric, parishes, and priests also engage in similar activities. 

Through these meetings, the dignitaries and clerics of each religion exchange ideas on issues related to social welfare, education, environmental protection, and support for people in difficult circumstances. This demonstrates the friendly, harmonious, and respectful relationship among religions in Dong Nai and, more broadly, across the country. 

Notably, in Dong Nai, religious organizations also coordinate with local authorities to regularly implement social welfare programs supporting the poor and other hardships without discrimination against religion through monthly assistance, free healthcare, and providing clean water for daily use. In 2024, more than 410 billion VND was mobilized by various religions to carry out social welfare work. 

Pastor Nguyen The Hien, a member of the Executive Board of the Southern Vietnam Baptist Convention, stated that the church always strives to work alongside local authorities to carry out social welfare activities aimed at helping the poor and those in difficult circumstances with the hope of improving the living conditions of the community. 

Actively participating in building the development of Dong Nai 

Along with building a harmonious life among religious organizations and their followers, the dignitaries,The religious leaders continue to participate and actively encourage followers to contribute to the development of the province.

Auxiliary Bishop of Xuan Loc Diocese Nguyen Tuan Anh stated that the Catholic community in Dong Nai is pleased with the economic and social development results, as well as the security and national defense of the province. The Xuân Lộc Bishopric and the Catholic community will continue to contribute to the development of the province and the country. 

Specifically, among nearly 6,300 individuals participating as members of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at the district and commune levels for the term 2024-2029, there are 1,320 religious individuals who fully represent various religious organizations. At the same time, over 8,000 party members among more than 90,000 party members across the province are individuals of faith.

According to Father Tran Xuan Thao, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee of the province, this shows that the dignitaries, clergy, and followers of religions in Đồng Nai are increasingly daring and actively participating in building the Party, government, Front, and mass organizations.

Venerable Thich Hue Khai noted that recently, the Buddhist community in Dong Nai has actively united with other religions to help each other develop economically to reduce sustainable poverty and earn an honest living; participate actively and responsibly in health, education, humanitarian, charitable activities, and gratitude initiatives; implement legal regulations well, enhance vigilance, and prevent social evils... Among them, the Dong Nai Buddhist community has actively participated in the tree planting process to create green areas, protect, and regenerate aquatic resources through environmental protection activities such as releasing fish in many areas of the Dong Nai River, Tri An Lake, and several streams in the province.

Regarding the assistance activities for the homeless, currently, 13 out of 14 private social protection facilities established and operated by religious organizations are caring for nearly 1,400 elderly people, orphans, individuals with disabilities, and those with mental illnesses...

According to Cao Van Quang, a member of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the province, the efforts of the private social protection facilities have contributed to sharing the burden of implementing social security tasks with the State.

In addition, to connect and mobilize religious resources to contribute to the development of the province, each year, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee at both provincial and district levels organizes signing cooperation programs with religious organizations. Through these signed programs, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committees at all levels coordinate with the Vietnam Buddhist Church's Management Board and the Catholic Solidarity Committee at the provincial level to assist people in difficult circumstances, express gratitude to families of policy beneficiaries, and foster solidarity among religions for social stability and national development... Additionally, depending on the actual situation, religious organizations also proactively sign cooperation programs with member organizations of the Front, departments, and sectors to implement social security work, disseminate legal knowledge, and maintain public order...

Reported by S.T