Government Religious Committee Chairman attends Catholic Thanksgiving and New Year celebration 2015
01/05/2015
Thanksgiving and New Year celebration night was held at the Ta Pao Marian Shrine in Dong Kho commune, Tanh Linh district, Binh Thuan province on Dec. 31.
The ceremony was co-organized by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) and Phan Thiet diocese.
The ceremony included the Vigil ceremony and mass prayers for peace in the country and the whole world.
The night event was chaired by Archbishop Bùi Văn Đọc of Ho Chi Minh city Archdiocese, President of the CBCV and attended by Knight of the Grand Cross Lê Đức Thịnh, priests, and over 5,000 Catholic followers in the whole country.
State and local guests at the ceremony were Mr. Phạm Dũng, Deputy of Home Affairs cum Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA), Mr. Dương Ngọc Tấn, Vice Chairman of the GCRA and local authorities’ representatives.
Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy of Home Affairs cum Chairman of the GCRA praised efforts by the CBCV and Catholic dignitaries in guiding and encouraging Catholics to well perform their religious and civic roles on the path of company with the nation. He also said that Catholic dignitaries and followers made important contributions to the socio-economic development and national defense, as Pope Francis encouraged when he stated "a Vietnamese Catholic is a patriot in company with the nation for building a prosperous and happy country.
The ceremony took place in solemn atmosphere and favorable conditions for the participation of all pilgrims across the country.
Some images at the ceremony:
