The good values of Catholicism spread in the Vietnamese ethnic community

On April 10, Minister of Home Affairs Pham Thi Thanh Tra received Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Vatican Secretary of State, who is visiting Vietnam, according to VNA.

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra said that as a multi-religious country, Vietnam has 16 religions, 36 religious organizations and 24 million religious people (accounting for 27% of the country's population); of which, Catholicism ranks second in number, with about 7 million people.

It is admirable that religions and religious followers live in harmony, solidarity, attachment, and accompany the nation in the process of national liberation struggle as well as in the cause of innovation, industrialization, and modernization.

Vietnamese Catholics have promoted good traditions and cultural and ethical values, contributing to the cause of national construction and defense, promoting socio -economic development and national renewal.

The Minister also highly appreciated the role of the Vietnam Bishops' Council in guiding and orienting the development of Catholicism in general and Catholics in particular to live a good life, practice their religion, and accompany the nation. The good cultural values of Catholicism have spread throughout the Vietnamese ethnic community.

"To achieve these results, in addition to the efforts of the Party, the State of Vietnam, and the religious community, including Catholics, there is also the concern, sharing, and help of the Vatican," the Minister of Home Affairs emphasized.

Overview of the reception. Photo: Government Committee for Religious Affairs

The Minister of Home Affairs expressed his joy at the growing relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican, achieving many good results; the presence of the first Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Vietnam is a clear highlight of the good relationship between the two sides.

As the state management agency for religion, the Ministry of Home Affairs will pay attention and coordinate with the Vietnam Bishops' Council to create favorable conditions for the activities of the Permanent Representative of the Vatican in Vietnam.

Vatican Secretary of State Paul Richard Gallagher said that this visit to Vietnam is the result of a process of learning, negotiating, reaching understanding and sympathy, which is a process that brings great significance to his visit.

Minister Paul Richard Gallagher expressed hope that, after the agreement reached on establishing a Permanent Representative, relations between Vietnam and the Vatican will continue to be strengthened and upgraded.

"When we have come a long way together to understand each other better, it is an achievement that needs to be continuously nurtured and cared for to achieve more abundant fruit," said Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.

Affirming that the achievements in the relationship between Vietnam and the Vatican are also a testament to the presence of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, the Holy See's Foreign Minister said that this testament is shown through the recognition from the government and favorable conditions for the Church to properly perform its functions, which are to contribute to and build the country, especially in caring for the poor and suffering, bringing love to everyone...

Minister Paul Richard Gallagher expressed that the results achieved by both sides will open new paths for the Catholic Church in Vietnam to continue to acknowledge its presence and commit to higher and further areas in the fields of health and education.

Minister Paul Richard Gallagher mentioned a bright spot in the educational activities of the Catholic Church, with state authorities agreeing to open a Catholic Academy.

Minister Pham Thi Thanh Tra agreed with Minister Paul Richard Gallagher's opinion on health and education issues; said that she will accompany and promote these two fields better on the existing foundation of dioceses and parishes, with the guidance of the Vietnam Bishops' Council. The policy of the Party and State of Vietnam is to promote the socialization of the fields of education and health, thereby promoting the best values of religions, including Catholicism.

The Minister of the Interior hopes that during his visit, Archbishop and Minister Paul Richard Gallagher will spend time visiting dioceses, parishes, and Catholics to see the harmony, cohesion, and solidarity between religions in general and religious people in particular in the Vietnamese ethnic community. The Minister hopes that, under the leadership of the Vietnamese Bishops' Council, Catholics will continue to implement Pope Benedict XVI's teaching that "a good Catholic is also a good citizen", and that the Vietnam - Vatican relationship will become increasingly better.

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