Thái Bình (AsiaNews) - "We sense Pope Francis' interest for the Church in Vietnam." So commented the diocese of Thái Bình, in the north of the country, on the pastoral visit of the delegation of the Holy See, held from April 25 to 27, and following the meeting of the Joint Working Group between Vietnam and the Vatican, held in Hanoi on April 21 and 22.
On the first working day, the Holy See delegation met with the 27 bishops from various dioceses and the Bishops' Conference at the bishop's seat in Thái Bình. Subsequently Msgr. Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski, undersecretary for Holy See relations, and Msgr. Peter Nguyễn Văn Đệ, bishop of Thái Bình, met with representatives of the local People's Committee.
The next day, the Vatican delegation was welcomed by the congregation of the Dominican Sisters: superior general Sister Maria Ngô Thị Hạnh thanked the delegation for the pastoral visit and the Vatican's concern for the Vietnamese Church.
In the evening, Archbishop Marek Zalewski, apostolic nuncio to Singapore and non-resident papal representative in Vietnam, along with Bishop Peter Nguyễn Văn Đệ, presided at Mass in Thái Bình Cathedral.
"We cannot forget the suffering of the period of social distancing imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic. We trust in God's mercy. He never abandons His children," said Msgr. Misroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski.
"Today I would like to send Pope Francis' greetings and blessings to the people of God in Vietnam, and especially to the brothers and sisters participating in tonight's Holy Mass," the cardinal continued. Pope Francis always accompanies us in prayer. We ask Our Lady, the faithful Virgin, to help us have a firm faith in our lives today."
"We are very happy with the presence of the delegation of the Holy See in this church," commented local pastor Fr. Joseph Trịnh Tiến Thành. "This is the love of Pope Francis that he gives us through Msgr. Wachowski and the delegation of the Holy See. We would like to send our respect, love and loyalty to the Holy Father."
