Deputy Minister pays Christmas visit to office of Thanh Hoa diocese

Accompanying the deputy minister included Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Nguyễn Tiến Trọng and representatives from provincial authorities of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

The delegation was respectively welcomed by Bishop of Thanh Hoa diocese Joseph Nguyễn Đức Cường, Priest President of the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics Joseph Trần Xuân Mạnh; Bishop of Vinh diocese Alfonso Nguyễn Hữu Long, and Bishop of Ha Tinh diocese Louis Nguyễn Anh Tuấn.

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng extends Christmas greetings to Bishop of Ha Tinh diocese Louis Nguyễn Anh Tuấn

During the visits, while extending Christmas greetings to the bishops, priests and all Catholic followers of the dioceses, Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng underlined practical contributions made by religious organizations in general and the Catholic Church in particular in fields of health, education and social charities, as well as acknowledged the solidarity and dedication of the bishops, priests, and the Catholic community for socio-economic development of the country. Through these activities, the positive values of Vietnamese Catholicism have spread in social life, reflecting the cultural, ethical traditions, and the virtuous lifestyle of Vietnamese Catholics, he added.

The delegation visits Bishop of Vinh diocese Nguyễn Hữu Long

The Deputy Minister also informed the hosts of positive developments of the relation between the Vietnamese State and the Holy See. He highlighted that high-level negotiations, meetings, and visits between the leaders of the Party, State, and Government of Vietnam and the Vatican have taken place in recent years with an open, good-willed, frank, and mutual respect approach. These efforts have been highly appreciated by both domestic and international public opinion, especially the appointment of the first Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam by Pope Francis.

Deputy Miniter Vũ Chiến Thắng expressed hope that the Bishops and priests in the three dioceses would further encourage and guide local Catholics to promote fine cultural and ethical values of the nation and religious unity, and proactively engage in movements and programs launched by local authorities, contributing to strengthen the great national solidarity bloc.  

Deputy Minister Vũ Chiến Thắng extends Christmas greetings to Priest Trần Xuân Mạnh, President of Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics

Bishop Joseph Ngyễn Đức Cường, Bishop Alfonso Nguyễn Hữu Long, Bishop Louis Nguyễn Anh Tuấn and Priest Joseph Trần Xuân Mạnh took the chance to thank leaders of Home Affairs Ministry, the GCRA and local authorities for favorable conditions extended to the religious people in the country in general and Catholic community in particular. They affirmed that, given their roles and positions they would continue encouraging the Catholic community to actively engage patriotic emulation movements, live “the good religious and secular life”, and the motto “serving the God, loving the country”, contributing to the course of socio-economic development in their localities.

PH