Seven Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) Vietnamese brothers have been ordained deacons, marking the order's impressive growth in the last decade in the communist country.
Bishop Pierre Tran Dinh Tu of Phu Cuong ordained seven Vietnamese deacons on June 18 at the pastoral center in Thu Dau Mot town. Thirty priests and 300 Catholics attended the ceremony.
An OMI priest said the deacons, aged 30-50, are the first Vietnamese since OMI priests started their work in the country 10 years ago. Some OMI priests from France started to look for new vocations in 2000, he added.
The priest, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the deacons had completed their philosophical and theological studies at local Church-run institutes in Ho Chi Minh City.
So far they have 30 Vietnamese Religious and dozens of novices, and they have established a novitiate based in Phu Cuong diocese, near Ho Chi Minh City, he added.
He said local OMI Religious work with internal migrant workers, offer accommodation and food to people on retreat, and provide pastoral activities for poor people in remote areas.
During the ordination ceremony, Bishop Tu said he warmly welcomed OMI Religious to the local Church and hoped they will cooperate with local Religious to serve local Catholics, especially in remote areas.