Deputy PM Trọng congratulates Catholic community on Christmas Eve

VGP – On Christmas Eve, Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng paid courtesy visits to Cardinal Phạm Minh Mẫn, Archbishop of the Hồ Chí Minh City Archdiocese and Pastor Thái Phước Trường, Head of the General Confederation of the Protestant Church of Việt Nam (southern region).

December 24, 2009 6:00 PM GMT+7

Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng (3^rd from left) congratulates Cardinal Phạm Minh Mẫn (2^nd from right) at the Hồ Chí Minh City Archdiocese, December 24, 2009

Deputy PM Trọng shared with the Cardinal and other dignitaries his pleasures at the development of Việt Nam despite many difficulties in 2009.

He called on the Catholics and followers of other religions to respect and strengthen national unity and join hands in national development.
The Cardinal expressed thanks to the Party, State and Government leaders for their attention to religious development.

He happily recalled the recent meeting between State President Nguyễn Minh Triết and Pope Benedict XVI in the Vatican, saying that he expected the two sides will establish official relations soon.

Deputy PM Trương Vĩnh Trọng (L) and Pastor Thái Phước Trường (R), Head of the General Confederation of the Protestant Church of Việt Nam (southern region), December 24, 2009

Meeting Pastor Thái Phước Trường, Deputy PM Trọng hoped that all Protestant dignitaries and followers to attach their religious activities to national interests and make greater contributions to the country.

Pastor Thái Phước Trường thanked governments at all levels for their assistance to operation of the Protestant Church.

By Hồng Hạnh