National Assembly Chairman visits Hanoi Archdiocese for Easter

During the visit, he highlighted Vietnam’s recent socio-economic achievements, emphasizing that the country’s 40 years of renewal have yielded significant results thanks to contributions from the entire political system, armed forces, and people including religious communities, particularly Vietnamese Catholics.

He noted that the Catholic community has made meaningful contributions to education, healthcare, environmental protection, social order, and the fight against social evils. In the most recent elections, more than 7.8 million Catholics nationwide actively participated, with two priests elected to the National Assembly and 12 elected to provincial People’s Councils.

The Chairman welcomed the upgrading of relations between Vietnam and the Holy See, including the establishment of a resident representative in Vietnam since December 2023. He said Vietnamese leaders have invited Pope Leo to pay an official visit to Vietnam, describing it as a gesture of goodwill and a shared aspiration of the Vietnamese Catholic community.

He added that during the upcoming first session of the 16th National Assembly, lawmakers will review the revised Law on Belief and Religion, aimed at facilitating lawful religious activities while promoting cultural values and mobilizing religious resources for national development.

Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien, Vice President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam, reaffirmed that Vietnamese Catholics continue to follow the 1980 pastoral orientation of “living the Gospel in the heart of the nation,” in line with papal teachings to be both good Catholics and good citizens.

He also expressed appreciation to Hanoi authorities for facilitating the archdiocese’s activities and pledged continued contributions to the country’s development.