AN OUTLINE OF CATHOLICS’ POLITICAL ACTIVITIES IN THE SOUTH VIETNAM DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1963 TO 1967

Abstract

This article examines the political activities of Catholics in Southern Vietnam during the period from late 1963 to early 1967. The article is divided into two parts. The first part presents the origins of Catholic political actions in the period 1963-1967. The collapse of Ngo Dinh Diem’s governance in late 1963 led to a crisis among many Catholics of Northern origin. That crisis led them to act and participate in politics in selfdefense and also to hold on to what was lost during the First Republic in the South. The second part presents some trends and ways in which Catholics were involved in politics. Through archival data, secondary documents, and by approaching the history of religion, the article shows interesting details about particular events. Thereby the reader will better understand the limitations, motives, and consequences of Catholics’ political participation during a special historical period with many upheavals.