National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (left, in pink) visits Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese. (Photo: VNA) HCM City (VNA) – NationalAssembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on December 19 visited and extendedChristmas greetings to Auxiliary Bishop of Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese Do ManhHung and local Catholic dignitaries and followers.
She stressed that the Party and State applaud the role and contributions ofCatholics to national construction and development.
The Law on Belief and Religion, which has officially come into force sinceearly 2018, has affirmed that the freedom of belief and religion of allVietnamese people is respected and ensured, facilitating the practice ofreligions in line with charters and regulations of religious organisations, aswell as law, the top legislator said.
She highlighted the visit to the Vatican by Deputy Prime Minister Truong HoaBinh last October, during which he met with Pope Francis and Secretary of State of the VaticanCity Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
The two sides reached consensus onorientations to enhance the relations between Vietnam and the Vatican, towardselevating the relationship from the level of non-residential envoy to residentialenvoy in the time to come, she said.
The leader expressed her hope that Catholic dignitaries and followers willcarry forward the tradition of patriotism, accompany the nation and makepractical contributions to strengthening the great national unity bloc, as wellas national construction.
For his part, Auxiliary Bishop Hung said the Law on Belief and Religion hascreated conditions for religious people, including Catholics, to practise theirreligions and contribute more to national socio-economic development.
He said with about 1 million Catholics, Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese is the largestamong 26 archdioceses and dioceses nationwide.
It hasestablished many facilities in support of disabled children, the elderly andHIV/AIDS patients, he said, adding that the archdiocese has received supportfrom local authorities during its operation.
On the occasion of the upcoming Christmas and New Year, NA Chairwoman Ngan alsovisited Cardinal Pham Minh Man at the HCM City pastoral centre.-VNA
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