Walking Together: Participation of Persons with Vulnerabilities in the Synodal Process of the Catholic Church in Vietnam

Ngoc Van Anh Nguyen; Thi Bich Thuy Pham

doi:10.63130/hijcre.v2i1.184

Authors

Ngoc Van Anh Nguyen Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Phan Thiet
Thi Bich Thuy Pham Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Hue

Abstract

“Synodal Church” has become a keyword in the Church’s gatherings and celebrations, global as well as local, since 2021 when the late Pope Francis launched his vision of XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops. Living out the spirit of communion – participation – mission together with the Universal Church, the People of God in Vietnam embarked on a journey of listening and discernment between the pastors and the faithful. The Church in Vietnam is making a great effort to extend to the margins and become more inclusive. She invites, encourages and facilitates the participation of all members. This paper presents a critical reflection on how the local Church believes and appreciates the engagement of persons with vulnerabilities: the poor, people with contagious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, orphaned children and people with disabilities, in the life of the Church in Vietnam. In numerous forms and to various extents, these groups of people actively participate in their local parishes around Vietnam. Many of such experiences have been recorded by Diocesan Caritas Organizations and published on their websites. To provide a snapshot, this paper limits itself to reviewing only some examples in Vietnamese published literature and Caritas websites of different dioceses in Vietnam. It provides insights and personal reflections of some participants about the meaning of their contributions in the Church’s activities.

Keywords:

Participation, People with Disabilities, Poor, Synodal Church, Vietnam

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biographies

Ngoc Van Anh Nguyen, Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Phan Thiet

Sr Nguyen Ngoc Van Anh is a member of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Phan Thiet, Vietnam. She was professionally trained in Social Services and has been a dedicating agent of Caritas Phan Thiet for many years.

Thi Bich Thuy Pham, Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Hue

Sr Pham Thi Bich Thuy is a member of the Congregation of the Lovers of the Holy Cross Hue, Vietnam. She has dedicated most of her contributions to the formation of religious members, both within her own congregation and in others. She provides psychological counseling and spiritual direction to people at various stages of religious life. She teaches graduate courses at de La Salle University Manila. Her research interests include religious formation, education and training, spiritual life, and leadership.

References

[1] Aleteia (2025). In-depth: A look at the man who has become Leo XIV. https://www.aleteia.org/2025/05/08/in-depth-a-look-at-the-man-who-has-become-leo-xiv

[2] Assari, S. (2017). Structural inequality and the experience of disability in society. Journal of Social Issues, 54(1), 40-54.

[3] Assari, S. (2017). Why poverty is not a personal choice, but a reflection of society. Institute for Healthcare Policy and Innovation, University of Michigan. https://ihpi.umich.edu/news/why-poverty-not-personal-choice-reflection-society

[4] Belfast City Council (2017). Young people’s views on poverty in Belfast - A pilot study. Belfast Youth Forum. https://www.belfastcity.gov.uk/Documents/youth-forum/Poverty-it-s-not-a-choice

[5] Caritas BuiChu (2024). Thai Binh Getting ready for the congress for people with disabilities. https://gpbuichu.org/news/Bac-ai/san-sang-cho-dai-hoi-khuyet-tat-thai-binh-2024-17464.html

[6] Caritas DaNang (2024). Opening Training Course on Supporting People with Disabilities. http://caritasdanang.org/khai-mac-khoa-huan-luyen-h-tro-nguoi-khuyet-tat-nkt-va-hiv-aids-nch-tc12261

[7] Caritas HaiPhong (2024). People with HIV in Hai Phong Participating in the Life of the Church. Communion Journal, 144 (106- 119).

[8] Caritas SaiGon (2022). Accompanying People with Disabilities of the Rising Up Club. https://caritasvietnam.org/caritas-sai-gon-dong-hanh-cung-anh-chi-em-khuyet-tat-trong-cau-lac-bo-vuon-len

[9] Caritas Vietnam (2022, May 4). Training: Household Management and Economic Development. https://caritasvietnam.org/caritas-vinh-khoa-tap-huan-quan-ly-va-phat-trien-kinh-te-ho-gia-dinh

[10] Caritas Vietnam (2023, December 4). Wheelchair distribution: Toward day for persons with disabilities 03 December 2023. https://caritasvietnam.org

[11] Caritasvietnam (2024). Caritas Phan Thiet: Litting up their dreams. https://caritasvietnam.org/caritas-phan-thiet-thap-sang-uoc-mo-cho-em

[12] Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) (2021). Pastoral catechising for people in special circumstances in parishes. Retrieved from https://hdgmvietnam.com/chi-tiet/muc-vu-giao-ly-cho-nhung-nguoi-co-hoan-canh-dac-biet-tai-giao-xu-42071?utm

[13] Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam (2022). Communion bulletin: Fruits of the Synodal Process, 131 (September & October 2022). https://hdgmvietnam.com

[14] Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (2022). Report on Catholic Demographics and Regional Variations in Vietnam.

[15] Catholic Church (2022). The call for inclusion: A reflection on the mission to include people with disabilities in church activities. Catholic Church. https://www.catholicchurch.org

[16] Cregg, R. & Cheavens, S. (2022). Healing through helping: An experimental investigation of kindness, social activities, and reappraisal as well-being interventions. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 17(3), 345 - 358.

[17] Glyn, J. (2022). The disabled in the life of the Church. La Civiltà Cattolica, English Edition, 7(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.32009/22072446.0123.3

[18] Gomes, A. M. (2021). Pope Francis’ message to people with disabilities: A reflection of inclusion in the Church. Journal of Church and Society, 35(2), 118-125.

[19] Gomes, R. (2021, November 25). Pope to persons with disabilities: “The Church is truly your home”. Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2021-11/pope-francis-message-day-persons-disabilities.html

[20] Hai Phong Diocese (2023, December 8). Heart-to-heart: Exchange and Interaction Day among Persons with HIV and persons with Disabilities. https://gphaiphong.org

[21] Hai Phong Diocese (2023). Meeting and sharing with people with disabilities: A reflection on community participation. Hai Phong Diocese. https://www.haiphongdiocese.org

[22] Holy See Press Office. (2023, March 9). The Synod on Synodality: A Process of Encounter, Listening, and Discernment. Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va

[23] Holy See Press Office (2023). XVI Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops for a Synodal Church: Communion, participation, mission. Instrumentum laboris for the First Session (October 2023).

[24] Holy See Press (2024, April 8). Declaration of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith “Dignitas Infinita” on Human Dignity. https://doi.org/10.1080/17439760.2021/1908371

[25] Jung, S., Kang, J., Park, Y. & Jang, M. (2022). Isolation and mental health in individuals with disabilities: The psychological impact of stigma. Disability Studies Review, 41(3), 432-444.

[26] Kumar, A. & Epley, A. (2023). Little good goes an unexpectedly long way: Underestimating the positive impact of kindness on recipients. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 152(1), 236–252. https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001271 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/xge0001271

[27] Le, H. & Dao, T. (2024). Theories and current realities on accessing healthcare services and education of people with disabilities in our country. Online Journal of Integration. https://hoanhap.vn/chi-tiet/mot-so-van-de-ly-luan-va-thuc-tien-ve-tiep-can-dich-vu-y-te-va-giao-duc-cho-nguoi-khuyet-tat-o-nuoc-ta-hien-nay1729757757.html

[28] Maisonchance (2015). Aiming to Help People with Disabilities Receive Attention and Aids, Assisting Them in Their Efforts to Integrate Better into the Community. Retrieved from www.maison-chance.org

[29] Medinet (2025). Vietnam Disability Statistics and Report 2025. Medinet. https://www.medinet.vn

[30] Mental Health America. (2024). How helping others helps you. https://mhanational.org/resources/help-others/

[31] Merlo, F. (2024). Pope to G7 on Inclusion and Disability: However different, we are all the same. Vaticannews. https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-10/pope-francis-discourse-g7-disability-and-inclusion.html.

[32] Naz, A., Anwar, M., & Ullah, R. (2020). Stigma and discrimination against people with disabilities: A global review. International Journal of Social Science, 12(2), 35-46.

[33] Nguyen, H. (2023). Realities of the Accessibility for People with Disabilities and Solutions. Digital Journal of Viet Accompaniment. https://donghanhviet.vn/mot-so-thuc-trang-ve-tiep-can-cua-nguoi-khuyet-tat-viet-nam-va-giai-phap

[34] Nguyen, T. (2023). The Synodal Process in Vietnam: Achievements and Challenges. Vietnamese Journal of Theology and Pastoral Ministry, 25(1), 55-72.

[35] Pardon, K., Kuusisto, A., & Uusitalo, L. (2023). Teaching kindness and compassion: An exploratory intervention study to support young children’s prosocial skills in an inclusive ECEC setting. Education Sciences, 13(11), 1148. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13111148 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13111148

[36] Pope Francis (2020). Fratelli tutti: On fraternity and social friendship (Encyclical letter). Vatican Press.

[37] Tran, Vu, & Vu. (2017). Eliminating stigma, stereotypes, and judgments toward persons with disabilities.https://www.undp.org/sites/g/files/zskgke326/files/migration/vn/Xoa-bo-ky-thi_13.4.18.pdf

[38] United Nations. (2007). Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). https://www.un.org

[39] Vatican News (2025, April). Remembering Pope Francis: A leader in advocacy for the most marginalized.https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2025-04/remembering-francis-leader-in-advocacy-for-most-marginalized.html

[40] Vatican News (2025). Pope Francis and the Church of the Poor: A vision for the marginalized. Vatican News. https://www.vaticannews.va

[41] Vatican News (2025). Pope Francis’ call to the Church: A Church of the poor and for the poor. Retrieved from https://www.vaticannews.va

[42] Vietnam News Agency (2025). Vietnam Day of Persons with Disabilities April 18, 2025: Digital technology and accessibility for persons with disabilities.

[43] XVI Ordinary General Assembly of The Synod of Bishops (2024). For a Synodal Church: Communion, Participation, Mission – Final Document. https://www.synod.va/content/dam/synod/news/2024-10-26_final-document/ENG---Documento-finale.pdf