Tens of thousands of worshippers, priests in the Diocese of Kontum (central Vietnam) and Redemptorists have celebrated 50 years (1969-2019) of missionary work among the communities of Vietnam’s central highlands, home to ethnic Jarai, Bahnar and others (Montagnards).
The Diocese has more than 300,000 members out of a population of 1.8 million, divided into 116 parishes. Out of 141 priests, 29 priests are Redemptorist, plus three nuns from the same congregation, to serve 61,000 Catholics divided in various tribal communities.
“In 1988, Pope John Paul II canonised 117 Vietnamese martyrs,” said Fr Joseph Trần Sĩ Tín. “Since then, the Jarai who lived between Pleiku and Kontum begun to seek out the faith. They also visited the Redemptorists and received the Word of God. Over this period, the Redemptorists have taught the catechism and provided the sacraments.”
† My Little Catholic Nook ツ 