Breakthrough in religious diplomacy

The highlight of religious diplomacy in 2023 is the appointment of the Vatican as a Permanent Representative in Vietnam. On December 23, 2023, the Vatican officially announced Pope Francis' decision to appoint Archbishop Marek Zalewski - a professional diplomat and Vatican envoy - as the first Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam. And on December 24, 2023, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly announced this content.

This is the result of more than a decade of persistent efforts in dialogue, understanding, and putting aside historical issues, and at the same time, the result of implementing the principle of multilateralization and diversification of international relations. Vietnam is always ready to be a friend, a reliable and responsible partner in the international community. From now on, the relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican will enter a new page, towards a future of peace, stability and development.

President Vo Van Thuong and his wife, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, visited the Vatican at the invitation of Pope Francis on July 27, 2023. (Source: Vatican Media)

1. Religious diplomacy is the activity of Vietnamese agencies , organizations and individuals with foreign agencies, organizations and individuals related to the religious field. In the current era of globalization, religious diplomacy makes an important contribution to the Party's foreign affairs, State diplomacy and people's diplomacy, helping individuals and international organizations understand the consistent policy of respecting freedom of belief and religion of the Party and State as well as the reality of religious life in Vietnam. The highlight of religious diplomacy in 2023 is the Vatican's appointment of a permanent representative in Vietnam. Thus, after 12 years since Vietnam accepted the Vatican's proposal to appoint a non-resident special envoy of the Vatican to work in Vietnam in 2011, the Catholic Church in Vietnam has had a unified and seamless connection with the Roman Curia. As Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, President of the Vietnam Bishops' Conference, affirmed in a letter to Cardinals, priests and Catholics on the eve of Christmas 2023, this is "a clearer, more tangible sign of communion between the Vietnamese Church and the Pope" and "becomes a diplomatic bridge so that the Church can develop diverse activities to meet the needs of the social community". To sign and approve the Statute establishing the Permanent Representative of the Vatican in Vietnam requires the perseverance and persistence of both Vietnam and the Holy See in "seeking common ground while preserving differences", especially the viewpoint of putting aside historical issues, moving towards understanding, sharing and mutual development. This process can be told through historical milestones, demonstrating Vietnam's consistent viewpoint in multilateralizing and diversifying international relations for the stability and development of Vietnam and world peace.

“… Both sides have been able to move forward together and will continue to move forward, by recognizing their similarities and respecting their differences. Moreover, they have been able to walk together, listen to each other and understand each other.” (Excerpt from the Pope’s letter Letter of Pope Francis to the Catholic community in Vietnam on the occasion of the recognition of the Agreement on the status of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See and the Permanent Representative Office of the Holy See in Vietnam)

The process of establishing a Permanent Representative with the Vatican was marked by the historic meeting in November 2007 between former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Pope Benedict XVI. This was the first event in history when a leader of the Party and State of Vietnam met directly and openly with the head of the Holy See. And through the meeting, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed his view: "The Vietnamese Government always attaches importance to the relationship with the Vatican". And to continue implementing the consistent view of the Vietnamese State, in 2008, the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group was established, with the Vietnamese side led by a Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Vatican side by the Pope's envoy. The two sides have promoted annual meetings to discuss issues related to bilateral relations, including points of disagreement. In 2009, former President Nguyen Minh Triet met Pope Benedict XVI at the Vatican, reaffirming Vietnam's stance on an independent foreign policy, readiness to be a friend, a reliable partner, a responsible member of the international community, and a desire to promote relations with the Vatican. With the efforts of both sides, in 2011, the Holy See appointed a non-resident Special Envoy to Vietnam. In 2013, for the first time in history, the Catholic Pope welcomed General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong - the head of a Communist Party - with the ceremony of a head of state. This demonstrated the Vatican's stance in affirming the position, absolute and comprehensive leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam in all aspects of political and social life in Vietnam. Since the establishment of the non-resident Special Envoy, Vietnam has created conditions for the Holy See's ambassador to conduct hundreds of visits to dioceses in Vietnam and meet hundreds of Vietnamese Catholic dignitaries. The Party and State of Vietnam have always been consistent in the principles of respecting independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity, non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and actively contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the world. The Vietnamese Government has always encouraged pastoral activities in provinces and cities, and guided religious people to conduct purely religious activities and comply with the Vietnamese laws of the Holy See's ambassador.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received the first Permanent Representative of the Vatican in Vietnam, Archbishop Marek Zalewski. (Photo: Nguyen Hong)

2. With the efforts of the Joint Working Group, in July 2023, during the visit to the Vatican by President Vo Van Thuong, after talks with Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin - Prime Minister of the Holy See, the Agreement on the Regulations of the Permanent Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam was officially signed. This is an important historical milestone in the diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Vietnam. The establishment of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam has created favorable conditions for Vietnam's foreign affairs and the mission of serving the religious faith of the believers of the Roman Catholic Church. Thanks to the Permanent Representative, any arising issues, especially complex and sensitive issues related to Catholicism, will be promptly discussed directly through the Permanent Representative. Diplomatic activities and programs will be officially implemented at the State level between the Vatican and the State of Vietnam. On the other hand, the Permanent Representative will have favorable conditions to carry out the tasks and responsibilities assigned by the Holy See for the religious activities of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. It can be affirmed that upgrading the relationship to the Permanent Representative with the Vatican, on the one hand, demonstrates the correct foreign policy of our Party and State; on the other hand, it is the concern of the Party and State of Vietnam for Catholic dignitaries and followers in Vietnam; reaffirms understanding and sharing in religious diplomacy; creates conditions for the Holy See to carry out its religious mission in fostering faith, reconciling conflicts, maintaining peace, guiding followers to comply with the law, and accompanying authorities at all levels. Immediately after the Statute establishing the Permanent Representative with the Vatican was signed, Pope Francis sent a letter to the Catholic community in Vietnam, affirming and emphasizing the view: "Good parishioners must be good citizens" and conveying the message of building a spirit of harmony and national unity..."

Party Central Committee Secretary and Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung met with Pope Francis. (Source: VNA)

Recently, on January 18, 2024, the Vietnamese delegation led by Comrade Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Head of the Central External Relations Commission, met with Pope Francis, worked with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Vatican. Pope Francis accepted the invitation of the Party and State leaders and is expected to visit Vietnam in 2024. This continues to be an important sign in the good relationship between the two sides. With the viewpoint of ignoring historical disagreements and differences; consistently implementing an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, cooperative and developmental foreign policy, Vietnam and the Vatican have built a new diplomatic relationship, which will certainly develop further in the future. From now on, Vietnamese Catholics will follow a new direction of the Roman Catholic Church, especially continuing to guide and encourage followers to comply with the Constitution and laws. This is a highlight achievement in Vietnam's religious diplomacy in 2023, all for a common goal of ensuring a peaceful and stable environment, creating favorable conditions for innovation to develop the economy - society, attracting resources, especially religious resources to meet the requirements of national development in the new period. Source