Meeting Paul Bùi Văn Đọc, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Vietnam, Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn hailed the Catholic community for joining in building the great national unity and actively responding to campaigns on environment protection, national traffic safety and social welfares launched by the VFF. 

He expressed his belief that the Archbishop together with religious dignitaries and followers would continue joining national patriotic emulation campaigns, contributing to national construction and development. 

Archbishop Bùi Văn Đọc, for his part, pledged to continue encouraging Catholic dignitaries and followers to abide by the State laws and contribute more to the nation. 

The same day, Mẫn called on Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn, President of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) Executive Council. 

The VFF leader lauded the Most Venerable and VBS for encouraging monks and nuns to follow the Party and State laws and policies, especially patriotic emulation campaigns regarding pre-school education, social welfares, environment protection and climate change response. 

Most Venerable Thích Thiện Nhơn affirmed that the VBS, as a member of VFF, will actively join social activities, abide by the State laws for the sake of peace and prosperity of the nation. 

Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn also visited Lê Đức Thịnh, an outstanding Catholic follower who was honoured at the ninth National Patriotic Emulation Congress in 2015.

Mr. Lê Đức Thịnh was the first Asian to be bestowed on the title of Knight of the Grand Cross by the Vatican. The title was initiated by Pope Gregory XVI in 1831 for Catholics making significant contributions to church activities and charity in their countries.

Source: http://en.vietnamplus.vn/