On November 25, 2024, the martyrdom of Francis Xavier Tru'o'ng Bƚu Diệp (1897-1946), a Vietnamese Servant of God, has been authorized by Pope Francis to be a Blessed, among others.
Father Francis Xavier, a diocesan priest, protected residents' rights against violent gang looting at the close of World War II and during the first Vietnam War.
He was born on January 1, 1897, in Tân Đúrc (Vietnam).
According to the Vatican, Christians started going to his tomb after his death to seek his intercession and receive graces. He was killed for his faith.
His cause for beatification was opened in 2012.
Originating from the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, Father Francis completed his seminary study in Phnom Phen, whose apostolic vicariate encompassed the entire region.
In 1924, he received his priestly consecration. Six years later, the Can Tho, Vietnam, diocese sent him to a parish in Tac Say.
Before his martyrdom, he spent 16 years working in the church. His unwavering pastoral ministry founded a new Catholic community in the Mekong Delta, located between Vietnam and Cambodia.
In 1945–1946, the war devastated the southwest region of Vietnam, demolishing communities and driving people to flee. People were constantly terrified of war, as well as the power struggles and land battles among various political groups.
In response to their command to depart, Father Francis replied, "My life and my death are for my flock." The flock must be where the shepherd is.
Several Japanese deserters who had joined Ho Chi Minh's Viet Minh threatened to burn the Christians alive, and the French imprisoned them in a granary for no other reason than to protect their territory. To protect the others, Father Francis gave his own life.
On March 12, 1946, a gang of militiamen captured him and held him captive in a rice warehouse while questioning him.
A few days later, his mutilated body was discovered in a ditch in Tấc Sậy (Vietnam).
His remains were later found and have been interred at his Tac Say church since 1969. Not only Christians revere them, but people of other religions also rely on his intercession.
The 90-year-old Vietnamese Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man, the Archbishop Emeritus of Ho Chi Minh City, is one of those who holds a particular reverence for Father Francis. He had the chance to meet him when he was eight years old.
"A holy priest, always concerned about the future of the Church and ready to encourage the faithful to commit themselves fully to religion," the Cardinal said of Father Francis.
He dedicated himself to erecting a residence for the devout and a place of worship. He sacrificed his life for them.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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