VFF President Tran Thanh Man (fourth from left) extends Christmas greetings to the Bishop of My Tho Diocese.(Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) – President of the VietnamFatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man visited and extendedChristmas greetings to Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers in southernlocalities on December 22.
During his meetings with the parishioners, the VFF leader wishedCatholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers nationwide a merry Christmas.
Man highlighted the nation’s socio-economic development in2017 amid difficulties and challenges, saying that the Catholic communitynationwide has made a significant contribution to the achievements.
At the HCM City Archbishop Office, Man spoke highly of thecontribution made by Archbishop of the HCM City Archdiocese Bui Van Doc andlocal Catholic community to realising the nation’s socio-economic targets.
He expressed his hope that the Archbishop will continueencouraging Catholic dignitaries and followers to participate in emulationmovements launched by the VFF and other sectors, while helping strengthen thenational unity bloc for national construction and development.
For his part, Archbishop Bui Van Doc hoped that the Party,State and VFF will continue facilitating activities of local Catholics so that theycan contribute further to realising socio-economic targets and ensuring socialwelfare.
Duringhis meeting with Bishop Pham Minh Man, former Archbishopof the HCM City Archdiocese, the VFF leader said he hoped that the formerArchbishop will continue encouraging Catholic dignitaries and followersnationwide to implement the policies and follow guidance of the Party and State,towards the common goal of national development and defence.
The VFF President also lauded the contribution of the GeneralConfederation of Evangelical Churches of Vietnam to the nation’s common goals,particularly in social charity work, hoping that Protestant followers will continueaccompanying with the VFF as part of the national unity bloc in the cause of nationalconstruction.
Pastor Phan Vinh Cu, Vice First President of the GeneralConfederation of Evangelical Churches of Vietnam pledged that the organisationwill continue making practical contribution to national construction andprotection.
Visiting the office of the Bishop of My Tho Diocese the sameday, Man asked Bishop Nguyen Van Kham, who is also secretary general of theVietnam Episcopal Council, to encourage Catholics to join social activities andpatriotic emulations campaigns such as those on building new rural areas andpromoting the use of domestically-produced goods.
The Bishop expressed his hope that the VFF and its chapterscontinue to work for national unity, and thanked the Party, State and VFF forthe recognition of Catholics’ contribution to national construction. -VNA
