The Party and State always respect the freedom of belief of compatriots, including Catholics.

After the great success of his visit to the Vatican and meeting with Pope Francis, on the morning of August 7, President Vo Van Thuong visited and met with the Vietnam Bishops' Council at the Office of the Vietnam Bishops' Council, headquartered in Ho Chi Minh City.

President Vo Van Thuong with Archbishop Nguyen Nang, President of the Vietnam Bishops' Council and Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese. (Source: VNA)

This is the first time President Vo Van Thuong has visited the Vietnam Bishops' Council in his capacity as President.

Also attending were Politburo member, Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen and leaders of a number of departments, ministries and branches.

The meeting was attended by Archbishop Joseph Nguyen Nang, President of the Vietnam Bishops' Council, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese and bishops in the Council.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, President Vo Van Thuong respectfully wishes Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang and members of the Vietnam Bishops' Council good health, peace, and holiness. Through the dignitaries, he sends to Catholics nationwide wishes for good health, peace, happiness, and the love of God and his brothers.

Discussing the country's development situation, the President said that implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, with the joint efforts of the Party, State and people, our country has achieved many important and comprehensive achievements in all fields with outstanding marks. That is, overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, recovering and developing the socio-economy, maintaining political stability, ensuring social security, national defense and security; strengthening foreign relations with outstanding results.

President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that in that common success, there is a very positive contribution from the Catholic community nationwide. Especially in areas such as social protection, humanitarian charity, disease prevention and control, spreading the spirit of charity, love and good values ​​of the nation in general, of the Catholic community in particular; thereby, shining the spirit of solidarity, the spirit of readiness to serve of Catholic compatriots who respect God and love the country.

President Vo Van Thuong affirmed that in the process of development, the Party and State have consistently implemented guidelines and policies to ensure and respect freedom and belief of compatriots, including Catholics; always trying to create favorable conditions for Catholics to practice their religion well, thereby doing many good things for life, for the happiness of the people, for the prosperous development of the country.

Announcing the results of his visit to the Vatican, the President said he had met with Pope Francis and worked with the Vatican Secretary of State - Cardinal Pietro Parolin, which received great attention from Catholics across the country. In particular, according to tradition, in July every year, the Pope and the Vatican rarely arrange a schedule to receive guests. However, the meeting between President Vo Van Thuong and Pope Francis lasted longer than expected. The Pope agreed to send a Speech and Message to Vietnamese Catholics.

During the meeting with the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin, both sides affirmed that the Vietnam-Vatican relationship is developing well and achieving substantial results; they agreed to continue promoting this good relationship. Vietnam and the Vatican have approved the Regulations on the operation of the Permanent Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam.

President Vo Van Thuong expressed his impression of the Vietnamese Bishops' Council's motto: "Communion in service"; he said that this spirit is very close to the Party's policies and guidelines on great national unity and the spirit of serving the people.

President Vo Van Thuong visits and works with the Vietnam Bishops' Council. (Source: VNA)

At the meeting, Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang expressed his respect and joy to welcome President Vo Van Thuong and the delegation to visit the Vietnam Bishops' Council; thanked the President for sharing his warm feelings about the country's situation, as well as the significance of the recent successful visit to the Vatican for the Vietnamese Catholic community.

Archbishop Nguyen Nang expressed his impression and congratulated President Vo Van Thuong on the results of his visit to Austria, Italy and the Vatican, which helped to enhance the international position and prestige of Vietnam in general and brought the Vietnam-Vatican relationship into a new stage of development when the two sides approved the Regulations on the operation of the Permanent Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam. The Catholic community nationwide is very happy that the Vatican has a Permanent Representative in Vietnam.

Archbishop Nguyen Nang affirmed that the Catholic community is always enthusiastic about living the faith and the gospel, responding to the call of the Church and the Pope, dedicating themselves to serving the community, society and country; including the solidarity and unanimity of the Catholic community in joining hands with the Party, State and the entire people to overcome the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Episcopal Council and the Catholic community highly appreciate and respect the Party and State that always consider religion as a part of the people. With that direction, Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang affirmed that in the coming time, the Vietnamese Episcopal Council will continue the path of dialogue, communion, and service, which is also the path of the Church's gospel for thousands of years, thereby contributing to the development of the country. The Church also wishes to participate more in the fields of education, health care, and people's livelihood, thereby contributing more to the community.

Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang believes that with the policies of the Party and State, Vietnamese Catholics will further promote their potential and strengths; and contribute more to the cause of national development and construction in the coming time.

In a friendly atmosphere, at the end of the meeting, on behalf of the Vietnamese Bishops' Council, Archbishop Giuse Nguyen Nang respectfully presented a special gift of solidarity, the Pope's Message on Fraternity and Social Friendship, to President Vo Van Thuong.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dang-nha-nuoc-luon-ton-trong-tu-do-tin-nguong-cua-dong-bao-trong-do-co-dong-bao-cong-giao-237489.html