Overview of the reception

The Vatican delegation was accompanied by Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the Holy See’s Apostolic Nuncio to Singapore cum Non-residential Pontifical Representative to Vietnam.

Joining the reception included Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Vũ Hoài Bắc, Chief of the Home Affairs Ministry’s Office Vũ Đăng Minh, Director of the Home Affairs Ministry’s International Cooperation Chu Tuấn Tú and Director of the GCRA’s Catholic Affairs Department Đinh Quang Tiến.

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng (right) and Monsignor Mirosaw Stanislaw Wachowski

In Welcoming the Vatican delegation, Deputy Miniter of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng highly appreciated the practical contributions of the Catholic Church of Vietnam in social charities and supports extended the prevention of the Covid-19 epidemic with the donation of billions of VND, thousands of tons of essential supplies, medical equipment, and services in the anti-epidemic frontline of more than 1,700 volunteers who are priests, religious, seminarians and lay Catholics, etc.

The Deputy Minister affirmed that the consistent policy of the Party and State of Vietnam is to respect and guarantee people's right to freedom of belief and religion, allow religious organizations to operate in accordance with the law, and promote fine traditions and resources of religions for sustainable development in the country.

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng expressed hope that the Vatican would provide further guidance to the Vietnam Catholic Church and encourage lay Catholics to closely accompany with the nation, contributing to promote to Vietnam – Vatican relation.

For his part, Monsignor Mirosaw Stanislaw Wachowski, Under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam. He stated that Pope Francis always gives special attention to Vietnam and wants the Vietnam Catholic Church to closely accompany with and practically contribute to the country’s prosperity.

The Vatican dignitary also thanked the Vietnamese Government, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the GCRA for creating favorable conditions to the mission of the non-resident representative of the Vatican in the country.

He believes that the Vietnam - Vatican relation will smoothly develop in the coming time.

Monsignor Mirosaw Stanislaw Wachowski arrived in Vietnam on April 20 for a working visit in the country until April 27.

GCRA Chairman Vũ Hoài Bắc presents Law on Belief and Religion book to Monsignor Mirosaw Stanislaw Wachowski

Posing for group photo

AK