On January 22, 2014, at the headquarters of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA), Mr. Dương Ngọc Tấn, Vice Chairman of the Committee, received a delegation from the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Central Committee including representatives from the Standing Board of the VBS Executive Council and the Executive Board of VBS in Hanoi led by Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu, Permanent Vice President of the VBS Executive Council.

Also welcoming the delegation were leaders and officials from the GCRA’s Office and Department of Buddhist Affairs.

On behalf of the VBS Central Committee, Most Venerable Thích Thanh Nhiễu wished the leaders and officials of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs a happy new year. He thanked the Committee for facilitating the VBS’s Buddhist activities over the past time. He also informed the hosts of the Sangha’s preparations for the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak and expressed hope to receive support and assistance from the Government Committee for Religious Affairs so that the event will be a success.

On behalf of the GCRA’s leaders, Mr. Dương Ngọc Tấn highly valued the achievements the VBS has made over the past time. He expressed his hope that the Sangha will continue promoting the spirit of national solidarity and reconciliation, contributing to building a prosperous and civilized society meeting its development demand in the new period.

*Delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam

On the same day, Mr. Dương Ngọc Tấn also received a delegation from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam (CBCV) led by Coadjutor Archbishop Bùi Văn Đọc, President of the CBCV. Attending the reception were also leaders and officials from the GCRA’s Office and Departments of International Cooperation and Catholic Affairs.

On the occasion of the Lunar New Year 2014, Coadjutor Archbishop Bùi Văn Đọc wished the leaders and officials of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs good heath and a happy new year. He affirmed that he will continue encouraging Catholics to actively take part in patriotic emulation movements and socio-economic development programmes and stand side by side with the nation in its construction and development process.

On behalf of the Committee’s leaders, Mr. Dương Ngọc Tấn thanked the delegation for its New Year visit. On this occasion, he also wished Coadjutor Archbishop Bùi Văn Đọc, priests, monks and all Catholics a happy new year.

*Delegation from Hung Hoa diocese

On the same day, Mr. Đặng Trung Thành, Deputy Head of the GCRA’s Department of Catholic Affairs, received a delegation from Hung Hoa diocese led by Bishop Vũ Tất.

In the atmosphere of welcoming the Lunar New Year 2014, Bishop Vũ Tất wished the leaders and officials of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs a happy and prosperous new year. He said he hopes that the Committee will continue paying attention to and creating favorable conditions for Hung Hoa diocese to develop in the time to come.

On behalf of the Committee’s leaders, Mr. Đặng Trung Thành thanked the delegation for its visit. He also wished Bishop Vũ Tất, bishops and all Catholics in Hung Hoa diocese good luck and success.

P.H