Deputy PM Meets Vatican Cardinal

vukhoan-hongy-333-05_1.gifDeputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan Monday received visiting Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Minister of the Vatican Missionary Works in Hanoi.
Also present were Bishop Nguyen Van Hoa, President of the Vietnam Episcopal Council; Arch-bishop Ngo Quang Kiet, Head of the Hanoi Church; and Bishop Hoang Van Tiem, President of the Priests Committee of the Vietnam Episcopal Council.

Later on, the Vatican Minister called at the Government's Religious Affairs Department and met with its Head Ngo Yen Thi.

Host and guest discussed issues on the Catholic Church in Vietnam, the Vietnamese government's religious policies, and other relevant issues.

Thi said he hoped that the visit would encourage Vietnamese people and Catholic followers to contribute to the national unity and the reform process in their motherland.

For his part, the Vatican Minister expressed thanks to the Vietnamese government and the Department of Religious Affairs for their efforts to make his first ever Vietnam visit go smoothly. He also wished Vietnam great achievements in all fields.

During their stay in Vietnam from November 28 to December 5, the Vatican mission is scheduled to visit some localities and Catholic dioceses, and attend the ordination ceremony for 57 priests at the Hanoi Church.

(Source: VNA)