In the morning, he led a delegation to visit Joseph Nguyễn Năng, Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City’s Archdiocese, and Cardinal Jean-Baptiste Phạm Minh Mẫn, former Archbishop of the HCM City Archdiocese.

At these meetings, Mẫn informed his hosts on the nation’s overall socio-economic development and COVID-19 prevention and control in 2021.

He affirmed that the Party’s and State’s leadership and the concerted effort from the army and people, including the religious community, have been conducive to many successes of the country despite myriad difficulties.

He wished the religious community to promote their patriotic tradition, solidarity and contributions to the national construction and development causes.

Archbishop Joseph Nguyễn Năng said the Catholic community still sustains COVID-19 prevention measures to ensure safety during their meetings and activities. The group has also made efforts to overcome obstacles, joined charity works for the needy and taken part in COVID-19 frontline forces.  

In the afternoon, the NA official visited Pierre Nguyễn Văn Khảm, Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of My Tho and Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam.

At the visit, Mẫn said the law on religion and belief is being completed and the NA will strengthen its supervision of the law implementation to create favourable conditions for religious dignitaries, followers, and organisations to operate and develop in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

For his part, Bishop Pierre Nguyễn Văn Khảm expressed his gratitude toward appreciation given by the Party, State, and public competent agencies to the Catholic community./.

Source: https://en.vietnamplus.vn/