On behalf of the city’s leaders, Hải wished Catholic dignitaries and followers nationwide a merry Christmas and happy New Year. 

He briefed the capital’s socio-economic development in 2017 and development plans for 2018, noting the significant contributions of the archdiocese to the city’s education, health and environmental sectors. 

The official hoped the archdiocese’s dignitaries and local Catholics would continue their tradition of strengthening national solidarity and developing the capital. 

Archbishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Nhơn extended his thanks to the city’s leaders and said that each local Catholic has a duty to lead a good religious life, support other people and contribute to Hanoi City. 

Earlier the same day, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Council Nguyễn Ngọc Tuấn met with Bishop John Vũ Tất of Hung Hoa Diocese in Le Loi ward, Son Tay town. The official acknowledged the contributions of the diocese, wishing its members good health and a merry Christmas. 

Also on December 19, Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Trương Thị Mai visited the headquarters of the Thai Binh Diocese, which groups about 133,000 followers in the Northern provinces of Thai Binh and Hung Yen. 

During the visit, Bishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Đệ expressed his wish that ties between the Thai Binh Diocese and local authorities would grow robustly. 

Meanwhile, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Council of Quang Ninh province Nguyễn Văn Đọc met with priests ahead of Christmas. 

He sent his best wishes to Catholics in the Northern province and expressed his hope that they would continue to promote their traditions while contributing to provincial development. 

Gia Lai provincial People’s Committee extended Christmas visits to the Central Highlands province’s Protestant churches – Thanh Tam Church and Kon Tum Diocese on the day. 

According to Protestant Pastor Huỳnh Duy Linh, religious believers and Christians in particular strongly believe in the guidance of the State and Party, therefore they will further participate in patriotic campaigns and promote national unity. 

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee in the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long also held a meeting to congratulate Christian dignitaries and to wish them a merry Christmas. 

Speaking at the event, the province’s Party Secretary Trương Văn Sáu acknowledged the contributions of the local Christian community to its development. He also expressed his wish that they would continue to promote patriotism.

Source: VNA