Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong has called upon followers of a number of religions, including Catholics, to firmly uphold the spirit of solidarity in joining forces with others to increase the country’s prosperity.
He made the remarks at the opening session of the fifth congress of representatives of Vietnamese Catholics in Hanoi on Nov. 19, which brought together 476 Catholic priests and followers, as well as representatives of other religions and of several embassies.
Chairman Trong reiterated that the Party and State have always respected the rights of its citizens to freedom of belief and religion, regarding it as a legitimate need for a proportion of the population.
In fact, the Party and State have long supported the creation of conditions allowing religious people to practice their chosen religions and have encouraged them to contribute to making the country prosperous, Chairman Trong said.
The NA Chairman hailed the Vietnam Committee for Solidarity with Catholics (VCSC) as a typical social organisation of patriotic Catholic followers, which has been active in building bridges with local authorities and the Fatherland Front through a variety of practical activities intended to contribute to the country’s prosperity.
Chairman Trong awarded the Independence Order, third class to Fathers Nguyen Tan Khoa, Nguyen Cong Danh, Phan Khac Tu and Truong Ba Can in recognition of their contributions to the nation.
Speaking at the congress, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Huynh Dam expressed his confidence that, through upholding the spirit of solidarity and patriotism, the VCSC will instruct its members towards attaining the goals set at the congress, including participation in various campaigns and movements launched by the front.
Dam also presented the Order for Great National Unity to eleven VCSC members.
According to the VCSC’s President Nguyen Tan Khoa, contributions made to the process of national renovation by Catholic followers since the last congress would be reviewed during the current congress, mapping out orientations for activities of patriotism for Vietnamese Catholics across all levels in the years to come.
The congress will discuss revisions to the charter of the VCSC to enable it to operate more efficiently in the future.
A list of 127 VCSC members for the 2008-2013 term was announced at the congress.
The VCSC, a member of the Vietnam Fatherland Front has, to date, established 39 municipal and provincial chapters nationwide.
Vietnam has close to 6 million Catholic followers. -Enditem
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