State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc today [December 23] visited the Hanoi Archdiocese and the Committee for Solidarity of Vietnamese Catholics (CSVC) ahead of Christmas Eve.

State President Nguyen Xuan Phuc at the Hanoi Archdiocese. Source: VNA

In a meeting with Hanoi Archbishop Vu Van Thien, State President Phuc said Christmas is not only a special occasion for the Catholic faithful but also a festival for locals, especially the youth across the country.

While the pandemic continues to exert severe socioeconomic impacts around the world and in Vietnam, the country has still achieved development objectives in terms of economy, defense, foreign affairs, global integration, and raising people’s living standards.

“The Catholic community, including the Hanoi Archdiocese, has contributed to these positive results,” Phuc said.

Phuc stressed the Party and the State are committed to ensuring freedom of religious activities for the people, noting such a fact has been stipulated in the constitution and the law.

He expressed his delight for the contribution of the Catholic faithful in the process of national protection and development, especially their joining in the overall Covid-19 response efforts has brought a strong affection among the people.

Phuc called for Archbishop Vu Van Thien to continue leading the Catholic community in contributing to Hanoi’s socio-economic development and bringing a peaceful life for Catholic followers.

For his part, Archbishop Thien expressed his delight at the strong development of Vietnam over the years, noting his confidence in the bright prospects of the country.

Given uncertainties surrounding the Covid-19 pandemic, Thien highlighted the drastic measures of the Government in fighting the outbreak, especially the vaccine diplomacy.

Thien said the Catholic community would continue to stand active in contributing to the socio-economic development of Hanoi in particular, and Vietnam in general.

In a meeting with the CSVC on the same day, Phuc called for the committee to continue serving as the bridge between the State and the Catholic community.

Chairman of the CSVC Central Committee Priest Joseph Tran Xuan Manh expected the authorities to continue to support the CSVC’s operation for the benefit of the community, eventually contributing to socio-economic development.