Archbishop and Vatican Secretary of State Paul Richard Gallagher is happy to witness the development of the Vietnamese Catholic Church, actively participating in social activities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and believes that I believe that the Vietnamese Catholic community will have more contributions to the development of Vietnam.
The information was shared during the meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Archbishop and Vatican Secretary of State Paul Richard Gallagher on the afternoon of April 9.4, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
During the meeting, Minister Bui Thanh Son believed that the visit would be an opportunity for Archbishop and Minister Paul Richard Gallagher to witness the dynamic development of Vietnam, as well as the rich and vibrant religious life of the community. Catholic community in Vietnam.
Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that the State of Vietnam always pays attention to and creates favorable conditions for religions, including Catholicism, to operate and develop according to the provisions of the Constitution and law; highly appreciated and expressed the desire for the Vietnamese Catholic community to continue promoting good Catholic moral values in social life, actively participating in patriotic emulation movements and medical activities. health, education, vocational training, social security, hunger eradication and poverty reduction..., actively contributing to the development and prosperity of the country and the Catholic Church in the spirit of "fearing God, patriotic" accompanying the nation", "good parishioners are good citizens".
Minister Bui Thanh Son highly appreciated the positive developments in Vietnam - Holy See relations over the past time, demonstrated through visits and meetings with senior leaders, and the results of negotiation rounds of the Joint Working Group. Vietnam - Vatican cooperation and especially the fact that the two sides have upgraded their relationship to Resident Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam.
Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed that the two sides continue to effectively maintain high-level exchanges, contacts and dialogue mechanisms; Promoting the connecting role of the Holy See's Resident Representative in Vietnam and affirming that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant authorities will create conditions for the Holy See's Resident Representative to successfully fulfill its mission. contribute to further developing the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See in the coming time.
Archbishop and Secretary of State for the Holy See Paul Richard Gallagher is happy to witness the development of the Vietnamese Catholic Church, actively participating in social activities, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic and believes The Vietnamese Catholic community will make more contributions to the development of Vietnam.
Archbishop and Minister Paul Richard Gallagher agreed to promote contacts, exchanges, and strengthen cooperation between the two sides through the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group mechanism as well as on 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 create favorable conditions for the activities of the Holy See Resident Representative and expressed trust in the relationship between the two sides. will continue to make important progress.
Previously, on April 3.4, the Vietnam Bishops' Conference said that Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, visited Vietnam from April 9-14.4.
This is the first visit at the level of the Vatican Secretary of State to Vietnam.
The visit took place in the context that at the end of 2023, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Marek Zelewski as the first Resident Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam.
Archbishop Marek Zalewski becoming the first permanent representative of the Vatican in Vietnam will contribute to promoting the connection between the Holy See and the Vietnamese Catholic Church, while further strengthening exchanges between Vietnam and Vietnam. Nam and the Holy See.
Vietnam - Vatican relations have recently achieved many positive steps forward, especially since the two sides established a regular dialogue mechanism of the Vietnam - Vatican Joint Working Group in 2009.
Since then, there have been many contacts and exchanges between Vietnamese senior leaders and the Holy See. The most recent is the visit of the President of Vietnam to the Holy See in July 7.2023.
Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis have issued teachings, messages and letters to the Vietnamese Catholic Church emphasizing the spirit of "good parishioners are good citizens", advising and encouraging Catholics to live a good life. beautiful, accompanying the country, actively contributing to the socio-economic development of the country and locality.
