President Võ Văn Thưởng with Catholic dignitaries of the Việt Nam Episcopal Council. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — The positive contributions of the nationwide Catholic community have played a significant role in the overall success of the country over the years, particularly in the fields of social support, humanitarian charity, and disease prevention and control.

President Võ Văn Thưởng reaffirmed this during his visit to the Việt Nam Episcopal Council in HCM City yesterday morning.

At the meeting, the President provided updates on the country's recent development, particularly highlighting significant achievements including overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic, economic and social recovery and growth, maintaining political and social stability, ensuring public welfare, upholding national defence and security, and enhancing international relations with notable outcomes.

The Catholics had spread the spirit of compassion, bringing love and sharing the noble values of the nation in general and the Catholic community in particular. These results continue to be promoted, brightening up the spirit of unity and the willingness to serve of the Catholics who respect God and love the country.

He also affirmed the Vietnamese Party and State always ensured citizens’ right to freedom of belief via the Constitution and law.

People were always given conditions to practise their faith well and, through this, engage in meaningful activities for the well-being of the people and the prosperity of the country.

Announcing the outcomes of the recent visit to the Vatican, the President said that Việt Nam and the Vatican had affirmed their increasingly developed and substantial relationship.

This progress was based on a better mutual understanding and a willingness to share common concerns.

Additionally, the two sides had jointly affirmed that the bilateral relationship was developing better and better and achieving real results, creating conditions for the effective operation of the Resident Representative Office in Việt Nam.

During the meeting, the representative of the Việt Nam Episcopal Council informed the President and the working delegation about the activities of the Catholic Church in recent times, highlighting various specific achievements, especially in social welfare and charitable activities.

Archbishop Nguyễn Năng mentioned that the relationship between Việt Nam and the Vatican had achieved significant results over the years. This had been a long process, and the achievements attained today were the result of mutual trust, respect, and a willingness to support each other between the Holy See and Việt Nam.

Archbishop Nguyễn Năng said that Vietnamese Catholics would always be ready to serve and continue to make contributions to the development of the country.  VNS