Deputy PM Bình showed his deep sorrow of the passing of Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc, who e described as an outstanding dignitary with important role in building and developing the Church.

The same day, President Trần Đại Quang, former Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, and leaders of ministries, sectors, localities and domestic and foreign organisations also sent wreaths in tribute of the Archbishop.

Earlier, a delegation from the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City led by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyễn Thiện Nhân also paid last tribute to Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc.

Writing on the funeral book, Nhân declared that the passing away of Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc is a great loss of the Catholic Church of Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City. 

“The city loses an excellent citizen who always sacrificed for the Church and the happiness of the people,” wrote he.

Also on March 16, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Trương Thị Mai, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Trần Thanh Mẫn, Minister of Home Affairs Lê Vĩnh Tân, and head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vũ Chiến Thắng, and many delegations from central agencies and localities also came to see Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc for the last time.

Venerable Thích Trí Quảng, head of the Executive Committee of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s chapter in Ho Chi Minh City, and representatives from many religious organisations, parishes of Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and neighbouring localities also paid tribute to the dignitary.

Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc’s funeral took place on March 17.

Source: vietnamplus.vn