(Vietnam) In mid-June 2001, the communist authorities of Quang Nam-Da Nang province sent a letter to Father Nguyen Huu Long, Pastor of Thanh Quang Parish, ordering him to surrender the church and the adjacent 2 hectares of land to the government for a museum project. The Thanh Quang Church, considered by many a sacred site like the La Vang Church in Quang Tri province, is located in the Tra Kieu area of the Duy Xuyen District, 30 km south of Da Nang City. The deadline set by the Government for the surrender of ownership was June 25, 2001.
Months before this letter, the authorities had summoned Pastor Nguyen Huu Long and Archbishop Nguyen Binh Tinh of the Da Nang Archdiocese repeatedly to their office in an effort to force the transfer of ownership. The two Reverends steadfastly refused to comply.
On the day of the deadline June 25, 2001, four priests in the surrounding parishes, Fr. Long, Fr. Hoa, Fr. Minh, and Fr. Khanh jointly said Mass before thousands of parishioners of Thanh Quang. Facing such a crowd, the Government's Public Security agents decided to not to take actions. They, however, took pictures and video-tapes the participants as measures of intimidation.
On June 29, 2001, the Public Security again summoned Father Nguyen Huu Long to their office and demand an immidiate surrender of the properties. Father Long said he had not the authorities to do so and the decision rested with the parishioners and the Bishops Council of Vietnam. He also handed the Government a letter, signed by over 200 representatives of the parishioners, refusing to relinquish their church.
The phone line to the Thanh Quang Church has been disconnected by the Government. From past experiences, disconnection of all means of communication signals an imminent attack by the Government force.