The Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s Central Committee, Ha Van Nui, has congratulated Le Duc Thinh on the fifth anniversary since he received the title, Knight of the Grand Cross.

When he addressed the event at the La Vang pilgrims centre in the central province of Quang Tri , Vice Chairman Nui praised Thinh’s contribution to society and the church.

He went on to say that Thinh is an excellent example of a patriotic Vietnamese Catholic and as Pope Benedict XVI said, “a good Catholic is a good citizen”, who helps to raise the awareness and responsibilities of Vietnamese Catholics in national construction and defence.

Vice Chairman Nui said he hoped that the Knight of the Grand Cross will continue to contribute to society and the church in the spirit of Pope Benedict XVI’s teachings.

The title Knight of the Grand Cross was first introduced in 1831 for Catholics who have made a significant contribution to the church and charitable organisations in their countries.

Le Duc Thinh is the first Vietnamese Catholic to receive the title from Pope Benedict XVI, and also the first Catholic in Asia to be honoured in this way.

Later, Vice Chairman Ha Van Nui visited Quang Tri’s provincial Buddhist Church of Vietnam, which successfully held its fifth congress for the period 2012-2017.-VNA