President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and Joseph Vu Van Thien (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – President Nguyen Xuan Phuc visited and presented gifts to the Hanoi Archdiocese and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) in the capital city on December 23, on the occasion of the upcoming Christmas season.
The President wished Joseph Vu Van Thien, Archbishop of the Hanoi Archdiocese and Deputy Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam, Catholic dignitaries and followers a warm and happy Christmas season.
He spoke highly of contributions of the Catholic community nationwide, including the Hanoi Archdiocese, to the country’s socio-economic, national defence-security and global integration achievements over the past years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Vietnamese Party and State always ensure citizens’ right to freedom of belief via the Constitution and law, he said, believing that in his role, Joseph Vu Van Thien will continue encouraging Catholics to build a strong archdiocese, contributing to socio-economic development of the country and Hanoi in particular.
Joseph Vu Van Thien expressed his hope that in the near future, the country’s position and stature will further improve on international arena.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and CSVC leaders (Photo: VNA) At CSVC in the morning the same day, Phuc wished that the CSVC would continue disseminating the Party guidelines and State laws among Catholics.
Priest Joseph Tran Xuan Manh, who is also part-time Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and Chairman of the CSVC Central Committee, wished to receive further support from authorities at all levels so that the CSVC could work more effectively./.
