At the seminar

The event was co-chaired by Dr. Vũ Chiến Thắng, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Bishop Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) cum Bishop of Phan Thiet diocese, and Assoc. Prof. Chu Văn Tuấn, Principle of the Institute for Religious Studies.

The gathering saw the presence of Chairman of the GCRA Vũ Hoài Bắc, Vice Chairman of the GCRA Nguyễn Tiến Trọng, representatives from concerning ministries and agencies, and large numbers of scholars and researchers on religion, officials tasked with religious affairs, and Catholic dignitaries from the Vietnam Catholic Church.

Catholic dignitaries at the event

The seminar aimed to clarify practical values of the Pope Francis’s Letter to the Vietnam Catholic Church, the society and the country of Vietnam in a harmonious relationship, promoted fine moral values of Catholicism in social life, and positively enhanced roles of good Vietnamese Catholics as good citizens of the country according to the Pope Francis’ Letter.

At the beginning of the workshop, all participating at the event observed a minute of silence to commemorate Party General Nguyễn Phú Trọng - an eminent leader who devotes his whole life to the country and people.

All delegates pay their respect to Party General Nguyễn Phú Trọng

The workshop drew 21 papers and presentations focusing on purposes and significance of the Pope Francis’ letter to the Vietnam Catholic Church in the context of the development of the Vietnam – Vatican relation; fine orientations of practical social contributions made by the Vietnamese Catholic community in the fields of health and education since the he pastoral letter 1980, the progress of Vietnam-Vatican relations, contributions of the Vietnamese Catholics in promoting the bilateral relation, recommendations for authorities at all levels to create more favorable conditions for Catholics to actively participate in the fields of education, health, social charity, etc.

Dr. Vũ Chiến Thắng speaks at the event

Speaking at the event, Dr. Vũ Chiến Thắng noted that the Pope Francis’s 2023 letter on the occasion of the adoption of the Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam has been considered as a historic milestone in guidelines and policies of the Vatican towards the Vietnam Catholic Church and the Vietnam – Vatican relation.

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng highly appreciated comments and suggestions on values of the Pope Francis’ Letter 2023 and practical contributions by the Vietnam Catholic Church in the cause of the national construction and development.

The Deputy Minister expressed hope that each Catholic dignitary and clergy would be a bridge to promote good relations between the Catholic community and the Vietnamese people, spread moral values of the Pope Francis’ Letter in order to encouraging Vietnamese Catholics engagement of patriotic movements, and promote Catholic resources to the development of the country.

He also asked authorities to improve laws on religion, propagate the Party's guidelines and policies on belief and religion, enhance religion-related external affairs, especially Vietnam - Vatican relations and the Pope's visit to the country following the invitation of the Vietnam President, and create conditions for religious organizations to operate in accordance with the law.

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng suggested that local authorities would continue closely work with the Vietnam Catholic Church in promoting values of the Pope Francis’ letter to the common community, contributing to strengthen the great national unity block for building Vietnam to become a strong country with prosperous people and a fair, democratic and civilized society.

As reported, Catholicism in Vietnam current operates in 63 provinces and cities with three archdioceses, 27 diocese, 3,000 parishes and over 7,2 million followers. Over the past years, with the motto “Living the Gospel in the heart of the nation for happiness of people”, Catholic followers have actively joined local authorities in patriotic movements, especially activities in the fields of education, health and charities, contributing to the socio-economic development of the country.

Some images at the seminar:

Archbishop of Joseph Đặng Đức Ngân, Apostolic Administrator of Da Nang diocese speaks at the event

Bishop Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, General Secretary of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam speaks at the seminar

Deputy Director General of Europe Department, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Phạm Toàn Thắng speaks at the event

Assoc. Prof. Nguyễn Thanh Xuân from Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics speaks at the event

Chairman of the Committee for Religious Affairs in Nam Dinh province Nguyễn Văn Khuê speaks at the event

Posing for group photo

Anh Khôi