Mourners pack cathedral for Nguyen funeral

More than 1,000 people have packed St Patrick's Cathedral in East Melbourne for the funeral of Van Nguyen.

The pews were full and mourners wearing white were lining the walls of the cathedral for the funeral that the 25-year-old helped to plan before his execution.

Nguyen was hanged at Changi Prison in Singapore last Friday after being convicted of trying to smuggle heroin through Changi Airport.

His mother Kim Nguyen sobbed throughout the requiem mass while his brother Khoa remained stoic, staring at the alter.

Words written by Nguyen just hours before his hanging were read, including a plea for forgiveness for his sins and vowing to remain in the hearts of those who prayed for him.

Father Peter Hansen told the congregation that no-one has proclaimed Nguyen was innocent but that human beings can change.

He addressed Kim Nguyen saying all Australians are supporting her in the face of pain that is more than any mother could bear.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Wed, 7 December 2005
Source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (Australia Web)
Email: comments@your.abc.net.au
Copyright: 2005 Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Website: http://www.abc.net.au/