VN - Vatican working group concludes fifth meeting
VGP - The Viet Nam-Vatican Joint Working Group held its fifth meeting in Ha Noi on September 10-11, reaching a consensus that positive progress has been made on the Viet Nam-Vatican relations.
September 12, 2014 8:18 AM GMT+7
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The Vatican side thanked the Vietnamese authorities at all levels for helping Viet Nam’s Catholic Church accomplish its mission, whilst recognising the progress made on Viet Nam’s religious policy, as evidenced in the 2013 revised Constitution.
It agreed that the Vatican’s Non-resident Special Envoy, Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, was helped by the Vietnamese State to undertake pastoral visits in Viet Nam.
The Vatican side declared the importance it placed on developing ties with Viet Nam in particular and Asia in general, as demonstrated by Pope Francis’ visits to the continent in recent time.
The Vatican expressed its wish to establish diplomatic ties with Viet Nam and, together with Viet Nam’s Catholic Church, participate in the country’s developmental process via its fields of strength, such as healthcare, education, and humanitarian and charitable affairs.
The Vietnamese side asserted that the Party and State of Viet Nam persistently pursued and constantly refined its policies on respecting and safeguarding people’s rights to religion and faith freedom. The Party and State appreciated the active participation of the Viet Nam Catholic Church in the nation-building and socio-economic development process.
Both sides reiterated the application of the principles of “living the gospel in the nation” and “a good Catholic must be a good citizen”.
The Vatican side noted that Pope Francis always closely followed the development of Viet Nam-Vatican ties and encouraged the Catholic community in Vietnam to continue to do more for their country.
Both sides agreed the Viet Nam-Vatican relations have developed positively, referring to the numerous contacts established at all levels, the organisation of meetings and joint working groups, and the activities of the papal representative in Viet Nam.
They agreed to continue to uphold dialogues and close contact, whilst working to facilitate the activities of the non-resident Special Envoy in guiding the Viet Nam Catholic Church to efficiently realise Pope’s teachings.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of sincerity, openness and mutual respect.
Both sides agreed to hold the sixth meeting of the Viet Nam-Vatican joint working group in the Vatican, the date of which is to be arranged via diplomatic channels.
The Vatican delegation also paid courtesy visits to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and head of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs Pham Dung.
The delegation visited several Catholic churches in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.-VNA
