A Government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình on Friday paid homage to Archbishop of HCM City’s Archdiocese and former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Việt Nam Paul, Bùi Văn Đọc, who passed away in Rome on March 6 (Rome time). — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vũ

HCM CITY – A Government delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hòa Bình on Friday paid homage to Archbishop of HCM City’s Archdiocese and former President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Việt Nam Paul, Bùi Văn Đọc, who passed away in Rome on March 6 (Rome time). 

Deputy PM Bình expressed his deep sorrow at the passing of Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc, who he described as an outstanding dignitary who played an important role in building and developing the Church. 
The same day, President Trần Đại Quang, former Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng, and leaders of ministries, sectors, localities and domestic and foreign organisations also sent wreaths in tribute for the Archbishop. 
Earlier, a delegation from the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Việt Nam Fatherland Front Committee of HCM City led by Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyễn Thiện Nhân also paid tribute to Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc. 
Writing in the funeral book, Nhân declared that the passing of Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc is a great loss for the Catholic Church of Việt Nam and Hồ Chí Minh City. 
“The city loses an excellent citizen who always sacrificed for the Church and the happiness of the people,” he wrote. 
Also on Friday, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and head of Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, Trương Thị Mai, President of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee, Trần Thanh Mẫn, Minister of Home Affairs, Lê Vĩnh Tân, and head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs, Vũ Chiến Thắng, and many delegations from central agencies and localities also came to see Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc for the last time. 
Venerable Thích Trí Quảng, head of the Executive Committee of the Việt Nam Buddhist Sangha’s chapter in HCM City, and representatives from many religious organisations, parishes of HCM City Archdiocese and neighbouring localities also paid tribute to the dignitary. 
Archbishop Paul Bùi Văn Đọc’s funeral will take place today. — VNS