VFF leader extends Christmas greetings to religious community

VFF President Trần Thanh Mẫn (fourth from left) extends Christmas greetings to the Bishop of Mỹ Tho Diocese. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City (VNA) – President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Thanh Man visited and extended Christmas greetings to Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers in southern localities on December 22.

During his meetings with the parishioners, the VFF leader wished Catholic and Protestant dignitaries and followers nationwide a merry Christmas.

Man highlighted the nation’s socio-economic development in 2017 amid difficulties and challenges, saying that the Catholic community nationwide has made a significant contribution to the achievements.

At the HCM City Archbishop Office, Man spoke highly of the contribution made by Archbishop of the HCM City Archdiocese Bui Van Doc and local Catholic community to realising the nation’s socio-economic targets.

He expressed his hope that the Archbishop will continue encouraging Catholic dignitaries and followers to participate in emulation movements launched by the VFF and other sectors, while helping strengthen the national unity bloc for national construction and development.

For his part, Archbishop Bui Van Doc hoped that the Party, State and VFF will continue facilitating activities of local Catholics so that they can contribute further to realising socio-economic targets and ensuring social welfare.

During his meeting with Bishop Pham Minh Man, former Archbishop of the HCM City Archdiocese, the VFF leader said he hoped that the former Archbishop will continue encouraging Catholic dignitaries and followers nationwide to implement the policies and follow guidance of the Party and State, towards the common goal of national development and defence.

The VFF President also lauded the contribution of the General Confederation of Evangelical Churches of Vietnam to the nation’s common goals, particularly in social charity work, hoping that Protestant followers will continue accompanying with the VFF as part of the national unity bloc in the cause of national construction.

Pastor Phan Vinh Cu, Vice First President of the General Confederation of Evangelical Churches of Vietnam pledged that the organisation will continue making practical contribution to national construction and protection.

Visiting the office of the Bishop of My Tho Diocese the same day, Man asked Bishop Nguyen Van Kham, who is also secretary general of the Vietnam Episcopal Council, to encourage Catholics to join social activities and patriotic emulations campaigns such as those on building new rural areas and promoting the use of domestically-produced goods. 

The Bishop expressed his hope that the VFF and its chapters continue to work for national unity, and thanked the Party, State and VFF for the recognition of Catholics’ contribution to national construction./.

VNA