Still Running Off at the Keyboard

HANOI, Vietnam – Thousands of people lined the streets Monday as the Roman Catholic Church ordained 57 new priests in an unprecedented ceremony that added the single largest number of priests in Vietnam at one time.
Vatican envoy Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe presided over the three-hour ceremony held at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Hanoi, urging the new priests to spread their faith in the communist country.

"Like Jesus Christ, you should preach among all people and wash their sins," Sepe told the cheering crowds. "Loving Jesus Christ must be known through priests' teachings. Among 80 million Vietnamese, there are only 6 million Catholics."

The cardinal is the first senior Vatican official allowed to ordain priests in Vietnam, a significant step reflecting thawing relations as the Vatican and Hanoi move closer towards establishing diplomatic ties.

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