The families of 15 Catholic youths detained in Vietnam have launched an appeal for solidarity, asking for prayer and support from the whole Church, said a Zenit report citing the Eglises d’Asie agency.

Vietnamese authorities arrested the 15 in July and August. Six are being held in Hanoi, while the whereabouts of the other nine is unknown.

The families say their children are innocent of any crime, and that they should not be punished for involvement in social activities that promote the common good.

While the police were arresting the student, Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang was announcing the release of 10,000 detainees on the occasion of today’s national feast day.

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Vietnamese parents beg for prayers after arrest of 15 youths (Zenit)

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