ASIA/VIETNAM - Dialogue, cooperation and positive developments in relations between the Holy See and Vietnam

Tuesday, 26 April 2022 politics nunciatures dialogue collaboration

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Hanoi (Agenzia Fides) - Relations between Vietnam and the Holy See are on the right track. On April 22, at the Central Government Office, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh received Undersecretary for Relations with the States of the Holy See, Msgr. Miroslaw Wachowski, who traveled to Vietnam to attend the meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group. Pham Binh Minh expressed his joy at the positive development of Vietnam-Vatican relations, stressing that the frequent visits and contacts, as well as the meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican joint working group, will help "to strengthen the common interests of both sides and to satisfy and create good conditions for the Catholic community in Vietnam".
The Minister appreciated that the Holy See continues to guide the Catholics in Vietnam, who in turn make a special contribution to the life of the nation, promoting social and religious harmony, while respecting Vietnamese law.
Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, at the meeting with the Vatican representative, extended an invitation to Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin to visit Vietnam and to meet Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the near future.
Meanwhile, Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister, Ha Kim Ngoc, stressed: "Vietnam's policy is to respect and guarantee religious freedom in the country. In addition, the authorities are always attentive to the needs of the Catholic Church".
The representatives of the Vietnamese government expressed their joy at the positive development of relations between Vietnam and the Holy See and recognized the role of the non-resident Apostolic Nuncio in Vietnam, who contributes to strengthening mutual understanding and cooperation. Both sides discussed strengthening bilateral diplomatic ties based on dialogue and mutual respect, and considered future steps to establish an office of the papal representative in Hanoi.
Previously, Deputy Interior Minister Vu Chien Thang told Msgr. Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski at a meeting at the Interior Ministry headquarters: "Vietnam's religious law respects international conventions and Vietnam intends to always create favorable conditions for religious organizations to conduct their activities in accordance with of the Constitution and the laws and everyone has the right to free worship in his home or place of worship".
The representative of the Vatican Secretariat of State also celebrated a mass at Hanoi Cathedral on Saturday, April 23, 2022. In this context, Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien invited those present "always to cultivate communion with Pope Francis, to show him our love and to remain closely linked to the universal Church". At the end of the Holy Mass, Msgr. Wachowski expressed to the community his joy at being able to visit Vietnam as a representative of the Holy See and to be able to feel the vitality of the faith in the Vietnamese Church and conveyed the blessing of Pope Francis to the Catholic community of Vietnam. The Vatican delegation will also attend the annual plenary session of the Vietnamese Bishops' Conference. (AD/PA) (Agenzia Fides, 26/4/2022)