Le Viêt Nam, aujourd'hui

HANOI — An imprisoned Vietnamese Catholic priest, whose release has been sought by US legislators, is in worsening health, his sister said Tuesday.

MY DUC — Vietnamese police on Friday blocked AFP journalists from an area where, according to a priest, several Catholics were wounded when police used tear gas in a dispute over a crucifix.

HANOI — Amnesty International on Saturday called on Vietnam to release an ailing dissident priest whose return to prison coincided with a rare Vietnam-Vatican meeting hailed as a prelude to improved relations.

In a message for the anniversary of Catholicism in the country, Benedict XVI recalled the testimony of the 117 martyrs and urges the faithful to take advantage of this time to promote reconciliation and to bring the Gospel values of charity, truth, justice and honesty to the nation.

The Authority’s gesture of openness in striking contrast to the theme of the seminar, dedicated to education in Catholic schools. Vietnam’s Catholics are banned from being involved in the educational sector.

A Vietnamese Catholic priest Wednesday called on the government to release seven parishioners arrested at a protest rally over a former church now used as a war memorial.

A Hanoi court rejected the appeals Friday of eight Roman Catholics convicted last year of disturbing public order and damaging property during a series of demonstrations to demand the return of former church land.

HANOI - Thousands of people gathered on Thursday to mourn a Vietnamese cardinal who died aged 89 after long advocating the establishment of diplomatic ties between the Vatican and the communist country.

Could the Pope make a historic visit to commmunist Vietnam later this year? A papal envoy hinted at this on Thursday, as Vietnam and the Vatican are seriously discussing establishing diplomatic ties.

HANOI - A Vatican envoy holding talks with Vietnamese officials on the eventual establishment of diplomatic ties said on Thursday that he hoped the Pope would be able to visit the country this year.

Two Vietnamese Catholics have filed legal suits against state media outlets in the communist country over their coverage of a recent trial stemming from a tense land dispute with the church.

More than 1,000 Vietnamese Catholics arrived to support the defendants, a rare expression of dissent against the ruling Communist Party.

Hanoi - Communist Vietnam should free Catholics arrested for holding peaceful prayer vigils and hold police and others accountable for attacking parishioners, a US-based human rights group said.

HANOI - Communist Vietnam has stepped up the pressure in a long-simmering land dispute with the country's Catholics by authorizing the construction of public parks on two key sites claimed by the Church.

Vietnam has issued an official warning to four top priests at a Hanoi church that has been embroiled in a bitter land dispute with the local government.