July 5 – 6, 2013
The diocesan phase for the cause of canonization of Card. François-Xavier Nguyên Van Thuân ends on July 5, 2013. The ceremony, presided over by Card. Agostino Vallini, takes place at 11.30 at the Hall of Conciliation at the Lateran Palace. On the following day at 16.30, a thanksgiving Mass will be celebrated in the church of Santa Maria della Scala, which was Cardinal Van Thuân’s titular church and is now his resting-place. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace is promoting several initiatives to recall the life and work of this witness, who persevered in living Christian love even in the most difficult situations.
Van Thuân, born on April 17, 1928 belonged to a Christian family, who suffered greatly because of its faith. He was ordained priest on June 11, 1953 and he was consacrated bishop of Nha Trang on June 24, 1967. On April 24, 1975 Pope Paul VI appointed him coadjutor archbishop ofSaigon, now known as Hochiminville. A few months later, on August 15, he was arrested and imprisoned.
“During my long nine-year ordeal of solitary confinement, I was tormented by the thought of being forced to abandon my diocese and to let go to ruins the many works I had begun for God. I experienced a kind of revolt in my whole being. One night, a voice deep down inside me said to me: “Why do you torment yourself in this way? You must distinguish between God and the works of God. If God wants you to abandon all these works, do it right away and trust in him! God can do things much better than you can. He will entrust his work to others who are much more capable than you are. You have chosen God alone, not his works!” From that moment, a new strength filled my heart and stayed with me for thirteen years. I felt my human weakness; I renewed the choice of God when I had to face difficult situations and I was never without peace in my heart”. (Testimony of Hope, Città Nuova, Roma 2008, pp. 61-62)
When he was released from prison, he came to Rome, and on November 24, 1994 he was appointed Vice-President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace. On June 24, 1998 he was appointed President of this same Pontifical Council, and he served in that office until his death on September 16, 2002. He was made Cardinal on February 21, 2001.
During Lent of Holy Year, Pope John Paul II invited him to preach the spiritual exercises to the Roman Curia. While thanking him for these meditations, the Pope said: “A witness of the cross in the long years of imprisonment in Vietnam, he has frequently recounted facts and episodes about his sufferings in prison, thus reinforcing us in the consoling certainty that when everything crumbles around us, and perhaps even within us, Christ remains our unfailing support”. (Words said on March 18, 2000 by Pope John Paul II at the conclusion of the Spiritual Esercises in which cardinals, archbishops, bishops and prelates participated).
Updated on July 5, 2013
BF – LH
SIF – Focolare Information Service
