Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher's first visit to Vietnam in his capacity as Vatican Secretary of State.
Minister Bui Thanh Son believes that the visit will contribute to promoting the good relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican, and is also an opportunity for the Minister to witness the dynamic development of Vietnam, as well as the rich and vibrant religious life of the Catholic community in Vietnam.
Vietnam consistently implements a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, and diversification; is a reliable partner and responsible member of the international community; and wishes to develop relations with countries on the principles of equality, mutual respect, and mutually beneficial cooperation, in accordance with international law.
Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the Vietnamese State has consistently implemented a policy of respecting and ensuring freedom of belief and religion for all people; emphasizing the importance of national solidarity, in which religion is one of the resources contributing to national construction and development.
The Vietnamese State always pays attention to and creates favorable conditions for religions, including Catholicism, to operate and develop according to the provisions of the Constitution and laws.
The Minister highly appreciated and expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Catholic community would continue to promote the good moral values of Catholicism in social life, actively participate in patriotic emulation movements, health care, education, vocational training, social security, poverty reduction activities, etc., and make positive contributions to the development and prosperity of the country and the Catholic Church in the spirit of "respecting God, loving the country", "accompanying the nation", "good parishioners are good citizens".
The head of Vietnam's foreign affairs sector highly appreciated the positive developments in the Vietnam-Holy See relationship in recent times, demonstrated through visits and contacts between high-ranking leaders, the results of the negotiations of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group, and especially the two sides' upgrading of relations to the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam.
Minister Bui Thanh Son suggested that the two sides continue to effectively maintain high-level exchanges, contacts and dialogue mechanisms; and promote the connecting role of the Holy See's Permanent Representative in Vietnam. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with the Vietnamese authorities, will create favorable conditions for the Holy See's Permanent Representative to successfully fulfill its mission, contributing to the further development of Vietnam - Holy See relations in the coming time.
Archbishop and Vatican Secretary for Relations with States Paul Richard Gallagher expressed his impression and congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in socio-economic development and foreign affairs. He expressed his joy at witnessing the development of the Catholic Church in Vietnam and its active participation in social activities, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Archbishop believes that the Catholic community in Vietnam will make more contributions to the development of Vietnam.
Archbishop and Minister Paul Richard Gallagher agreed to promote contacts, exchanges, and enhance bilateral cooperation through the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group mechanism as well as at multilateral and international forums.
The Archbishop and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Holy See hopes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Vietnamese agencies and localities will continue to facilitate the activities of the Holy See Resident Representative and expressed his belief that bilateral relations will continue to make important progress.
During the visit, the Vatican's Foreign Minister will meet with the Prime Minister; meet and work with Minister of Interior Pham Thi Thanh Tra and visit the Archdioceses of Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hue.
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