Vatican City (AsiaNews) - The Holy See wants "its role and mission [to] be strengthened and extended in order to enhance" its ties with the "Catholic Church in Vietnam". Vietnam "recalled the teachings of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI regarding living the Gospel within the nation and His considerations" about "being a good Catholic and a good citizen" stressing "the need for continued cooperation between the Catholic Church and civil authorities in order to concretely and practically implement those teachings in all activities."
These are the main points made in a Vatican press release expressed by the participants to the third meeting of the Joint Vietnam-Holy See working group held today and yesterday. The two delegations met "in an atmosphere of cordiality, frankness and mutual respect." The Vatican delegation was headed by Ettore Balestrero, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, and the Vietnamese delegation was led by Bui Thanh Son, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides "agreed to facilitate the work of Archbishop Girelli," the non-residential pontifical representative "so that he can better fulfil his mission." They also believe that the "Viêt Nam-Holy See relationship has attained positive developments on the basis of good will and constructive dialogue, as well as respect for principles in the relationship.
The statement noted that the two sides discussed the situation of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. "The Vietnamese delegation emphasized that the State of Viêt Nam has always implemented and continually improved the policy to respect and ensure freedom of belief and religion for the people; encouraged the Catholic Church in Viêt Nam to actively and effectively participate in the current course of national, economic and social development."
The statement noted that the two sides discussed the situation of the Catholic Church in Vietnam. "The Vietnamese delegation emphasized that the State of Viêt Nam has always implemented and continually improved the policy to respect and ensure freedom of belief and religion for the people; encouraged the Catholic Church in Viêt Nam to actively and effectively participate in the current course of national, economic and social development."
The Vatican delegation "took note of these considerations", but on the ground facts tell a different story.