Front leader pays pre-Christmas visit to religious dignitaries

Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man (second from left) extended Christmas greetings to Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon on December 12

Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man and other Party and State officials visited the Hanoi Archdiocese and the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) on December 12 on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas.

At the Hanoi Archdiocese, Man extended Christmas greetings to Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon, Auxiliary Bishop Laurent Chu Van Minh, priests and Catholic followers.

He briefed the religious dignitaries about the country’s socio-economic and cultural situations and major activities of the front in 2018.

He also briefed them about the progress in the relations between the country and the Vatican over the past time as well as the front’s operation orientations in 2019.

He said during the visit to the Vatican by Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh, the two sides agreed to upgrade the Vatican Representative in Vietnam from the level of non-resident envoy to resident envoy.

He expressed his hope that Cardinal Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon will continue encouraging priests and the Catholic community to participate in social activities and the front’s movements to contribute to strengthening the national great unity bloc.

Cardinal Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon said he is happy with the country’s socio-economic, security and defence achievements in 2018 and expressed his wish that the VFF Chairman and ministry and sectors leader to work harder for the country to gain more attainments.

He affirmed that Catholic followers will do more for the country’s development.

Extending merry Christmas greetings to Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac and Protestant followers, Man expressed his hope that Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac will continue encouraging Protestants to join patriotic campaigns and social activities, comply with the Law on Belief and Religion, and consolidate the national great unity bloc.

Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac said the Evangelical Church successfully organized big events, including its 35th General Assembly, and the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, through which it received good overseas feedback on Vietnam’s Protestantism and care from Party and State leaders to the religion and its followers.

Protestants have actively engaged in building new style rural areas, donated land to make roads, and took part in charity activities, he said.