Attending the event included Member of the Party’s Central Committee cum President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn, Priest Vice President of the VFF central committee cum President of the CSVC Joseph Trần Xuân Mạnh, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng, Vice Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) Nguyễn Ánh Chức and 245 delegates who are typical Catholic priests, clergymen, clergywomen and lay people in the patriotic emulation movement amongst the Vietnamese Catholic community.  

The conference also received congratulating floral bouquets from General Secretary, State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng, Prime Minister cum President of the Central Emulation – Recommendation Council Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and State Vice President cum Vice President of the Central Emulation – Recommendation Đặng Thị Ngọc Thịnh

 Priest Joseph Trần Xuân Mạnh, President of the CSVC delivers opening speech at the national conference

As reported at the 5^th national conference, in the 2015-2020 period, Catholic communities throughout the country have made great efforts and practical contributions for hunger eradication, poverty reduction, rural and urban development, environmental protection and climate change adaptation, taking care of the disadvantaged, education promotion as well as the strengthening of social cohesion, unity and security in the country. Many priests, clergymen, clergywomen and lay Catholics have become shining examples in their social and religious lives, contributing to develop a prosperous and civilized country of Vietnam.

Particularly, the Catholics in communes of Phuc Trach, Xuan Trach, Hung Trach of Bo Trach district in the central province of Quang Binh have donated 1,075 m2 of land valued at four billion VND for building 2,000 m of fences and 300m of canals. In Dak Lak province, Catholics in Hiep Hoa commune have contributed 1.7 billion VND for building a concrete road with 7.47m long.

Thien Phuoc Center founded by Priest Peter Phan Khắc Từ with three branches in Ho Chi Minh City in collaboration with Catholic sisters and Head of Stephan Love Family Hoàng Văn Bình have been taking cares of hundreds of children infected with Agent Orange, children with disabilities and street children’ Director of Tam Huong Ltd. in Khanh Hoa province Nguyễn Thị Thanh Hương has spent over 50 billion VND for building 300 charity houses and renovating hundreds of houses of poor households; Director of Nguyen Thong Construction Company has spent over 10 billion VND for constructing 43 charity houses in provinces of Soc Trang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Hau Giang and Can Tho city, etc.

President of VFF central committee Trần Thanh Mẫn speaks at the conference

Addressing the event, President of the VFF Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn highlighted outstanding contributions of Catholic individuals and groups in implementing the patriotic movement in the past five years.

He also called on the Catholic solidarity committee and Catholic communities to continue making practical contributions for the Covid-19 prevention work currently and the national construction and defense in the new situation

 Vice Chairman of Government Religious Committee Nguyễn Ánh Chức (seven from left) presents certificates of recommendation to participating delegates

During the conference 78 Catholic individuals and groups received certificates of recommendation of the VFF Central Committee and concerning for their outstanding contributions the patriotic movement in the 2015-2020 period.

 Catholic delegates at the 5^th national conference

PTT