Religious, non-religious followers encouraged to promote national unity; Vietnam condemns violence against Guinean civilians; Official pays Christmas visit to Catholics in Nam Dinh

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong has praised contributions of Christians to national development and encouraged religious and non-religious followers to continue to join hands to build a prosperous Vietnamese nation.

While visiting Cardinal Pham Minh Man, Archbishop of the Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese on December 24, he wished the Cardinal, bishops, monks and Catholic followers a Merry Christmas.

He also extended yuletide greetings to Bishop Nguyen Van Nhon, president of the Vietnam Episcopal Council, on this occasion.

Mr Trong briefed the dignitaries on the country’s steady growth despite the global economic and financial turmoil and said he hopes to see Christians and other religious followers as well as non-religious Vietnamese promote national unity and facilitate national development.

The Cardinal thanked the Party, State and government for providing due care and assistance to Catholics in the recent past. He recalled a meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and State President Nguyen Minh Triet during the latter’s December 2009 visit to the Vatican and expressed his hope that both sides would soon establish official relations.

The same day, Mr Trong visited the Vietnam Protestant Church (Southern Region) where he extended Xmas greetings to Pastor Thai Phuoc Truong, head of the church, missionaries and Protestants. He asked Protestants to work closely with other Vietnamese people to make a significant contribution to the nation.

Pastor Thai Phuoc Truong thanked local administrations for creating favourable conditions for Protestant groups to celebrate Christmas 2009 and said he looks forward to the church receiving more assistance from the Party, State and government in future.

Vietnam condemns violence against Guinean civilians

Vietnam has voiced its concern over the instability in Guinea and has strongly condemned acts of violence against Guinean civilians in the capital of Conakry in September.

The statement was made by Vietnam’s Deputy Representative to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Ambassador Hoang Chi Trung, at an urgent UNSC meeting on December 23 to review recent developments in the country.

The Ambassador called on the Guinean administration to work seriously with the United Nations (UN), the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African countries (ECOWAS) and other regional countries in the investigation and any future trials of criminal individuals and peaceful settlement to the country’s internal affairs.

All the involved parties need to restrain themselves, obey the law and ensure the safety of the Guinean people, said Trung when referring to the presidential elections which are expected to take place in the country next year.

On the occasion, the Ambassador confirmed that Vietnam supports efforts by the UN, AU, ECOWAS and the international community to find an equitable and comprehensive solution to the political and security crisis in Guinea for peace, stability and justice in the country as well as in the whole of West Africa.

Official pays Christmas visit to Catholics in Nam Dinh

The Party and State consider Catholics an indispensable part of the great national unity bloc, says State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

During a visit to Bui Chu diocese in Nam Dinh province on December 24, Ms Doan extended yuletide greetings to the local Catholic community and expressed the hope that they will continue to live an evangelical life and make further contributions to local and national development.

She affirmed that the community has been part and parcel of the bloc of great national unity which has been strengthened in the course of national history.

The Vietnamese State creates favourable conditions for religious followers to practise their faith and contribute to the nation, she said.

Bui Chu diocese bishop Hoang Van Tiem vowed to develop the community and encourage local Catholics to taker part in exemplary role model and humanitarian movements.

The same day, Ms Doan visited Bui Chu Orphanage which has sheltered thousands of unfortunate people for 157 years.

PV