English translation for VietAm Review by Faithful Follower, August 31, 2009.
Rev Nguyen Van Ly’s health is unstable in the prison
(News article on 08/28/2009)
On 08/24/2009 Madam Nguyen thi Hieu, sister of Rev Ly and his nephew paid him a visit at Ba Sao Prison in Nam Ha. This is an early visit because regular visits should be in odd months.
Rev Ly appeared with a limp a little bit but his face looked normal. He wore the prisoner’s stripe suit which made him uncomfortable. After asking for news of family and friends, he talked about his own health issue. He has been diagnosed with high blood pressure (see news article on 07/13/2009). The Prisoner of Conscience told his sister many issues which he didn’t tell her in last visit on July 09.
“ On May 13 while walking back and forth in the narrow cell, suddenly I saw blood spilling out on the floor. Looking back carefully, I found out that it was bleeding from my urinary bladder. It was dark color blood. I called the physicians. They came and gave me some medicine to stop the bleeding and it was cured. On May 25, I fell down in the cell and broke a little hole on the back of my head. I was given some medicine also. On July 12, three days after the family’s visit, suddenly, I found my right arm and leg stiffened which I could not move them normally. They gave me some medicine to be taken by mouth with no further treatment like injection or so. Recognizing the unusual, on July 17, I wrote a letter asking for the family’s visit by early August. Because I could not control my stiffened arm, my writing looked very scrawly. I was waiting but without response, so, on August 03, I wrote another letter to inform the family. This time, my hand writing looked better. because I had to make a great effort. Now, my health is a little bit improved.” (attached photocopy of the letter).
Madam Hieu responded: “The family did not receive your letter dated July 14. The letter dated August 03 was received on August 22. Previously, On August 15, Sister Quyen (Rev Ly’s niece, a nun of the Order of Our Lady’s Visit in
Father Ly said: “I hope I’ll be visited every month from now on to update my health situation. If you are not well enough to go, let other nieces or nephews do. And the Huê’s Archdiocese who’s holding main responsibility on me”. Then Father Ly talked about other issues: “Recently, I’ve requested the jailers to let me share my foods to poorer prisoners. Initially, they disagreed. I argued: I you don’t allow me to share my goods to others, I’ll not receive them anymore. I’ll return them all. As a priest, my conscience will not allow me to enjoy myself while other brothers are suffering. Now, they’ve already approved. Please send your gifts regularly so that I can help those without family visit. They are pitiful prisoners”. Father Ly directly talked to major
At the end of two hour visit (we’ve just summarized key points here), Madam Hieu left Major Nam three phone numbers, the Archdiocese’s, the family’s in Quang Biên and the cousin’s in Thua Thiên with remarks; “ Please inform the family and the Archdiocese at once if any emergency related to my brother. You will be responsible if Father Ly dies in the prison!” Father Ly also asked for those numbers so that he can contact later on.
On returning to Huê on August 27, Madam Hieu and her nephew arrived at the Archdiocese Huê to see Archbishop Nguyên Nhu The for information update. However, she was said that The Archbishop was absent so she should see Deputy Bishop Le Van Hong. In the meeting with Bishop Le Van Hong, Madam Hieu raised two points straight out: “ 1, the Archdiocese of Huê to request the government not to place Father Ly in solitary confinement anymore. Solitary confinement is considered as a disciplinary action in the prison. With his current health situation, it would be too late for rescue if something is threatening his life in the confinement. 2, Officially, it is the Archdiocese who has the main responsibility for Father Ly. We’re taking care of him because we’re his next of kin only. However, we’re too far away, we cannot pay a visit every month. As you are aware, in the visit of USCRIF on May 13, 2009, the delegation mentioned that it’s not adequate if we just visit him every two months. Whereas, the Archdiocese has visited him only once”!?!
The Deputy Bishop listened and noted her comments. Let’s wait and see!
Dear compatriots and worldwide friends, please keep on your consideration, informing and praying for the health of our prisoner of conscience, the symbol of undefeatable struggle for Democracy, Human Rights and Religious Freedom in
Reported by Bloc 8406 FNA reporters according to Madam Nguyên Thi Hieu in
