VZCZCXRO0154
PP RUEHCHI RUEHDT RUEHNH
DE RUEHHM #0678/01 3521127
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 181127Z DEC 09
FM AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 6169
INFO RUEHHI/AMEMBASSY HANOI PRIORITY 4064
RUCNASE/ASEAN MEMBER COLLECTIVE
RUEHHM/AMCONSUL HO CHI MINH CITY PRIORITY 6412

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 HO CHI MINH CITY 000678 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR EAP/MLS, DRL/AWH AND DRL/IRF 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: KIRF PHUM PGOV PREL VM
SUBJECT: IRREVERENT REVERENDS ILLUSTRATE RELIGIOUS FREEDOM'S 
PROGRESS 
 
HO CHI MIN 00000678  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary: While remaining dedicated to their individual 
faiths, some religious leaders in HCMC are becoming increasingly 
more daring in their religious sermons, even in front of mixed 
congregations of expatriates and locals.  Vietnamese and 
foreigners are worshiping together both in formal and informal 
settings in greater numbers--something that would not have been 
tolerated by authorities just a few years ago. The picture is 
not entirely rosy, however.  Though larger institutions are 
pushing the limits in their messages without repercussions, 
smaller, unrecognized churches continue to report a watchful eye 
on their activities.  End summary. 
 
 
 
Free Speech From the Pulpit 
 
--------------------------- 
 
¶2. (SBU) During the recent 50th Anniversary of the Grace Baptist 
Church in Vietnam, an American reverend from the Southern 
Baptist Convention's Executive Committee led the services and 
did not shy away from talking about the brutal realities he 
experienced as a soldier in the Vietnam War, but toned down his 
message by coming back to the theme of walking with Jesus.  More 
surprisingly, perhaps, he also took a moment to praise local and 
national government authorities for their efforts in improving 
religious freedom in Vietnam - including the GVN's 2008 national 
recognition of the Vietnam Baptist Convention.  The reverend's 
Southern Baptist zeal was a striking contrast to typically sober 
and traditional religious services in Vietnam.  With wide eyes, 
clapping hands, and even the occasional 'Amen!,' GVN officials 
present as observers appeared to enjoy the atypical event as 
much as the congregants.  The audience itself was representative 
of attendees at an increasing number of large religious 
celebrations in Vietnam: local Vietnamese worshipers, GVN 
officials, and foreign guests both official and religious. 
Reverend Huy, the leader of the Grace Baptist Church, reported 
no negative fallout from local authorities regarding the 
American reverend's spirited sermon and the reverend told 
ConGenoff that he intends to repeat his sermon at many other 
churches around the country, especially in Hanoi. 
 
 
 
¶3. (SBU) Similarly, at the Seventh Day Adventist's 80th 
Anniversary celebration in October, a Vietnamese American pastor 
who formerly headed the Adventists and escaped to the U.S. 
during the war, used parables from the Bible to illustrate his 
theme--all Christians are subject to the authority of their 
government, but God is the ultimate authority in heaven and on 
earth.  Though he repeatedly thanked GVN officials in attendance 
for promulgating religious freedom and exhorted the congregation 
to work within the GVN's legal framework, he also made it clear 
that the laws of man are subordinate to the laws of God and used 
several apt examples to illustrate his points, including Daniel 
being placed in the lion's den for disobeying man's law but 
protected by God for staying true to his faith, Jesus telling 
his followers to render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, but unto 
God what is God's, and Jesus being judged by a government 
official - Pontius Pilate.  As with the Grace Baptist 
celebration, the audience was a mix of local and foreign 
adherents and officials, and despite the controversial nature of 
the pastor's sermon, Adventist leaders reported no issues with 
authorities afterwards. 
 
 
 
¶4. (SBU) Catholic priests, however, seem to enjoy the most 
freedom of speech in HCMC.  At a recent Catholic mass in Ho Chi 
Minh City, priest Father Toan discussed the immorality of 
corruption, and while not explicitly condemning government 
authorities, certainly implied that Vietnam had much work to do 
in this arena.  In contrast to the accounts of church leaders 
from unregistered house churches, Father Toan reported no 
problems discussing such topics.  The relative freedom of speech 
Catholic leaders enjoy could be a factor of their large size and 
influence, and would explain the lack of leeway authorities 
accord to smaller, newer Christian groups. 
 
 
 
Foreign Ties Flourishing 
 
------------------------ 
 
¶5. (SBU) After 1975, many Protestant missionaries were forced to 
leave Vietnam and Vietnamese Protestant groups faced serious 
problems with authorities if they attempted to establish 
 
HO CHI MIN 00000678  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
relationships with foreigners, especially Americans.  Grace 
Baptist Church, founded in 1959 by American missionaries, has 
always maintained a close relationship with their American 
brethren.  Reverend Huy works closely with his counterparts in 
the US and now that the church enjoys national recognition, he 
plans to continue integrating the mission of the Vietnam church 
with that of the U.S. based church and the rest of the 
world-wide leadership structure.  The church is in the process 
of installing a simultaneous translation system to allow more 
foreigners to comfortably attend Vietnamese services.  In 
addition, Huy is looking for candidates to send to the U.S. for 
advanced religious education programs in order to expand his 
church's missionary work throughout Vietnam. 
 
 
 
¶6. (SBU) While mixed congregations are becoming more commonplace 
for large, sanctioned Christian groups, some smaller ones are 
also encouraging cross-cultural worship.  Agape Outreach Church 
(AOC), an unrecognized Protestant congregation founded in 1991, 
still conducts services in a rented room with fold-up chairs, 
but is trying to expand and develop as quickly as possible.  AOC 
leader, Pastor Duong Quang Vinh, hopes to find a permanent 
location in Ho Chi Minh City by 2010.  Pastor Vinh holds 
services in both Vietnamese and English and devotes a large part 
of the church's outreach efforts towards attracting more foreign 
as well as Vietnamese followers.  AOC often has guest speakers 
preach in English while Pastor Vinh does his own simultaneous 
translation.  During the service ConGenOff attended, frequent 
visitor and guest Pastor "Sonny" from Singapore gave the primary 
sermon.  Despite their unrecognized house church status, Pastor 
Vinh reports no current problems in carrying out services with 
foreigners in attendance. 
 
 
 
¶7. (SBU) Likewise, the local congregation of the Church of Jesus 
Christ of Latter-day Saints, while predominantly Vietnamese, 
also has several expat families from the United States, Japan, 
Korea and Europe that attend services.  The church provides 
simultaneous interpretation, and all parishioners (foreign and 
local) take turns giving sermons throughout the year on topics 
assigned by local leadership.  The congregation has reported no 
difficulties in its blended approach.  The church also has 
blended weekly scripture study courses as well as blended weekly 
activities for youth at the church. 
 
 
 
¶8. (SBU) Blended foreign and Vietnamese Bible study groups also 
appear to be on the rise.  At the AOC and Grace Baptist Church, 
members were eager to extend ConGenOff an invitation to join 
smaller Bible study groups which meet more informally during the 
week.  Some are geared towards adults and others towards youth, 
but all focus on deepening members' understanding of the Bible 
as well as promoting cross-cultural exchanges.  No problems in 
carrying out such meetings have been reported. 
 
 
 
Comment 
 
------- 
 
¶9. (SBU) The outspokenness of some church leaders and the 
increasing diversity of their congregations is a sign that the 
GVN is getting more comfortable with freedom of religion over 
time.  GVN officials are now routinely attending celebratory 
events held by sanctioned church groups, and while religious 
leaders' main messages are still focused on their faith, they 
are clearly more comfortable introducing topics that would have 
been considered taboo in the past.  Despite these advances, some 
Vietnamese church leaders are quick to point out that more 
progress is needed.  While sanctioned churches may feel more at 
ease pushing the envelope in their sermons, many smaller and 
less established churches still fall under the microscope of the 
GVN.  Protestant house church leaders told ConGenoff that as 
long as they "stick to the gospel," they have no problems. 
Another Protestant pastor said that while exchanges between 
church leaders and government officials are increasing, "the 
conversation is still one-sided."  End comment. 
 
 
 
¶10. (U) This cable was coordinated with Embassy Hanoi. 
FAIRFAX