ASIA/VIETNAM - Bishops' Conference appointments and commitment for formation of clergy, religious and lay people

Hanoi (Agenzia Fides) - In a statement issued at the end of a plenary assembly in Hanoi the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam announced the election of Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet, Archbishop of Hanoi as Conference Secretary General and Bishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Dalat as head of the Standing Bishops' Council.
The statement also said that during the assembly the Bishops discussed pastoral and spiritual matters in the life of the Church, welcoming a general increase in vocations as a source of encouragement and hope for the Catholic community in Vietnam. The Bishops' Conference praised the work of its Commission for the Clergy and Seminaries for drafting a set common study programme for Catholic institutes of formation in the country; appreciation was also expressed to the Caritas and Social Service Commission for its considerable contribution towards assist victims of natural disasters.
The Bishops asked representatives of the Government Office for Religious Affairs to settle pending questions such as restitution of Church property, including seminaries and religious institutes.
In a final message the Bishops of Vietnam renewed their commitment to ensuring sound formation for clergy, religious and lay people and the necessity for Christians to live Gospel values in society and culture so as to spread the Kingdom of God. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 31/10/2007 righe 24 parole 248)