From AFP
Dissident monk Thich Quang Do became the new leader of the banned Unified Buddhist Church of Vietnam (UBCV) yesterday, pledging to keep up the peaceful struggle for religious and political freedom. Do, the former deputy leader, was named supreme patriarch at a ceremony held in Houston, Texas marking 49 days since the death of his predecessor Thich Huyen Quang, the organisation said.
“We pledge to realise Patriarch (Quang’s) wishes-to promote human rights for the living, sacred rights for the dead and democracy for society,” Do said in a recorded message, the UBCV said. The 79-year-old Do, whom Quang named as his successor in his will, pledged that the leadership would “do its utmost to re-establish the legal status of the UBCV and maintain its historic tradition of independence.”