Vietnamese Government and State TV launch fresh attacks on Bishop of Vinh

(Asia News) – Vietnamese authorities, with the support of the media, have launched a new , violent attack against the Vinh diocese and Msgr . Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, “guilty” of asking for the release of two parishioners imprisoned for months without motive. In a 10-minute report broadcast Sept. 15 by state television, harsh accusations were made against the prelate of “lying , breaking the law on purpose and inciting to revolt ” against Hanoi. The Catholics are accused of having “artfully fabricated” a legal issue, authorities say, to transform it into a case of “religious persecution .” And the smear campaign was followed by threats against the Catholic community of My Yen and Nghe An, with the promise of “new arrests” if the protests continued .

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