Vatican: Hanoi Working Toward Diplomatic Ties

Posted: 12th March 2007

Government Assured Holy See Delegation of Efforts

VATICAN CITY, MARCH 12, 2007 (Zenit.org).- According to a Vatican announcement, the Vietnamese government says it is taking steps to begin diplomatic relations with the Holy See.

Representatives of the Holy See returned to Rome today after a trip to Vietnam. The March 5-11 visit was led by Monsignor Pietro Parolin, Vatican undersecretary for relations with states.

Today's announcement from the Vatican press office stated: "The meetings with the Committee for Religious Affairs, presided by Mr. Nguyên The Doanh, were held in an atmosphere of cordiality, frankness and respect."

The statement added that they "are allowing the possibility to look over the application of the ordinance on creed and religions, dated June 18, 2004, which outlines the policy of the Vietnamese government on religious matters, the nomination of some bishops, as well as other topics pertaining to the life and activities of the Catholic Church in Vietnam."

Catholics number about 6 million in Vietnam, some 7% of the population.

Catholic presence

The Vatican press office continued: "The Holy See has always hoped that the Catholics would be allowed to contribute in a greater way to the spreading of moral values, especially as pertaining to the formation of the young people, during a time of quickly changing socioeconomic changes in the Vietnamese society and the promotion of solidarity toward the weaker groups in the population.

"Both parties underlined that the still open problems could be faced and duly resolved through mutual consent and through patient and constructive dialogue."

The Vatican indicated: "On these occasions, the normalization of relations with the Holy See is always brought up.

"As to this, the Vietnamese group gave assurances that with instructions by the prime minister, the relevant agencies are already at work, while certain realistic modalities to begin the process of ties for diplomatic relations are also being examined."

The communiqué concluded: "The delegation brought encouragement and blessings sent by the Holy Father Benedict XVI to all, toward whom the faithful manifested signs of deep sentiments of filial attachment and faithfulness in the hope that the Pope himself would one day make a pastoral visit to the nation."
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Article Source: Zenit.org