A NEWLY ADOPTED Bill that regulates religious practices is worse than the one adopted in the 1950s by Ho Chi Minh, said Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man of Ho Chi Minh City.
The new law requires stricter terms and conditions for registering religious organisations and associations. It also bans people in prison from presiding over religious ceremonies.
The statute was six years in the making and has six chapters and 41 articles. The first approved draft of the bill, presented in December 2000, caused negative reactions among clergy and bishops.
Cardinal Minh Man said it would be better if the newly approved legislation had been dropped.