A Vatican delegation led by Monsignor Pietro Parolin, Vatican ’s Under-secretary of State for Relations with States, concluded their week-long annual working visit to Vietnam on June 15.
Staying in Vietnam from June 9, the delegation had working sessions with a Vietnamese delegation led by Nguyen The Doanh, Chairman of the Government’s Committee for Religious Affairs.
They were briefed of Vietnam ’s achievements in economic, political, cultural, social, and diplomatic fields, including what the country has been pursuing better and better policies regarding religions in general and the Catholic in particular.
The Vatican delegation appreciated Vietnam ’s progresses in development and international integration and congratulated the country on its non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
They applauded the positive fruits Vietnam has made in the social field, including religion-related activities, particularly its successful organisation of the UN Day of Vesak 2008 last May.
The two sides exchanged views on issues related to the Vietnam Catholic Church and other issues of mutual concern.
They deemed it necessary to set time for the first session of the two sides’ joint experts’ team in order to accelerate the designing of a roadmap for the development of bilateral relations.
The two sides were of the same view that dialogues held in the spirit of mutual trust and respect and in line with laws are the most appropriate mode to discuss and solve issues of mutual concern. All working sessions took place in a frank, open and constructive atmosphere and of mutual respect.
While in Vietnam , the Vatican delegation was received by Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, met with representatives of the Vietnam Council of Bishops, paid courtesy visits to Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao and Vice Chairman of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s External Relations Commission Pham Xuan Son.
The delegation visited the People’s Committees of Central Highlands Lam Dong province, central Thua Thien-Hue province, central Quang Tri province, the Da Lat bishop’s office in Lam Dong, the Hue archbishop’s office in Thua Thien-Hue and La Vang parish in Quang Tri.
They attended the mass at the Da Lat cathedral and La Vang church. The delegation visited Binh Duong pottery village – one of the biggest pottery production establishments in Vietnam.
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