Vietnam: Officials Warn Church End Vigils or Face Legal Action

HANOI – Communist authorities have threatened to take legal action against Ngo Quang Kiet, Hanoi’s archbishop, unless he stops the illegal prayer vigils being held on former church land, the AP reported on September 22.  State television has participated in the government’s campaign against the bishop by questioning his patriotism.  Thao, the mayor of Hanoi, addressed the bishop through state-controlled newspapers telling him “You have a responsibility to persuade priests and parishioners to abide by the law.”  Under Vietnamese law, prayer is allowing only within a church.