Truong Thi Mai (second, left) presents flowers to congratulate the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics on Christmas (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Politburo member Truong Thi Mai, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, attended a Christmas gathering held by the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) in Hanoi on December 13.
Mai wished Catholic dignitaries and followers a merry Christmas, and took the occasion to praise the committee’s efforts to encourage Catholics to follow the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws, participate in social and economic activities, and fight the abuse of religious, democratic and human rights issues to drive a wedge between religions and undermine the great national unity bloc.
Noting that the CSVC is an organisation representing the patriotic movement of Vietnamese Catholics, the official expressed her hope that it will better serve as a bridge linking the religion and society and encourage Vietnamese Catholics to continue complying with the pastoral direction “Living out the Gospel in the midst of the Nation to serve the welfare of the people", as written in the public letter issued by the Episcopal Council of the Catholic Church of Vietnam in 1980.
She believed that the Catholic Church of Vietnam and Catholic followers will always stand side by side with the nation, actively engage in patriotic emulation movements and humanitarian activities so as to be both a good follower and citizen.
Acknowledging the Party and State’s attention, VSVC Vice Chairman and General Secretary Priest Tran Xuan Manh, said the committee will make all-out efforts to fulfill its missions.
At the gathering, the CSVC sent Christmas greetings to priests and Catholic followers nationwide. Participants also listened to Christmas letters of the committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan.-VNA
VNA
