Party and State leaders share Christmas joy with Catholic compatriots

On the occasion of Christmas 2024, leaders of the Party, State and the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front visited and congratulated dignitaries, monks and Catholics in many localities. The delegations conveyed their best wishes, shared the joy of Christmas and affirmed the spirit of great national unity, working together to build a strong and prosperous homeland and country.

At Lao Cai Parish, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed respectful greetings, warm regards, and best wishes on the occasion of Christmas 2024 from the Party and State leaders to priests, monks, nuns, and Catholics nationwide in general and Lao Cai province in particular.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and congratulated priests, dignitaries, officials and parishioners of Lao Cai Parish on the occasion of Christmas. (Photo: Government Newspaper)

Speaking at Coc Leu Church, the Prime Minister affirmed that our Party and State always respect and ensure human rights, including freedom of belief, religion and non-belief, of all people; care for and create conditions for religious organizations and religious people to operate in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and the law... At the same time, according to the Prime Minister, the more difficult and challenging times are, the more the spirit of great national solidarity is affirmed and promoted to respond promptly and effectively to arising issues.

The Prime Minister said that in the overall foreign relations, the Vietnam-Vatican relationship has continued to develop positively and well in recent years and is being further promoted. This is an important foundation and motivation for Catholics to well implement the motto "respect God, love the country".

The Prime Minister hopes that Catholics will continue to live according to the spirit of “Being a good Catholic and a good citizen” and the motto “Living the Gospel in the heart of the nation to serve the happiness of compatriots”. He asked Party committees and authorities at all levels to create conditions for all people to have a peaceful and happy Christmas, and at the same time provide timely support to those in difficult circumstances.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh visited the Hanoi Archdiocese to celebrate Christmas and New Year 2025. (Photo: Government Newspaper)

Also on December 22, in Hanoi, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh extended Christmas and New Year 2025 greetings at the Hanoi Archbishop's Palace, the Evangelical Church of Vietnam (North) and the Vietnam Catholic Solidarity Committee.

The Deputy Prime Minister hoped that the dignitaries would continue to make positive contributions to the Church, the community and the development of the country. He shared his joy at the increasingly improved lives of believers and acknowledged the contributions of the Catholic and Protestant communities in strengthening national unity.

President of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Do Van Chien celebrates Christmas at the Archbishop's Palace of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: Dai Doan Ket Newspaper)

On the same day, Mr. Do Van Chien, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, visited the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City and congratulated Archbishop Nguyen Nang, President of the Vietnam Bishops' Council, Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Ho Chi Minh City, along with priests, religious, and Catholics. He praised the contributions of the Catholic Church in building the great national unity bloc.

The delegation also visited and congratulated Knight Grand Cross Le Duc Thinh, the first Asian to be awarded the title of Knight Grand Cross by the Vatican Pope, on the occasion of Christmas 2024.

Source: https://thoidai.com.vn/lanh-dao-dang-nha-nuoc-chia-se-niem-vui-giang-sinh-cung-dong-bao-cong-giao-208887.html