In the 15th visit seeking to increase the scope within which the Church can function freely in Vietnam, a Vatican delegation led by Mgr Pietro Parolin discusses with Vietnam government on issues of bishop appointments, Church property and freedom of religion. The visit comes at a time of heightened interest in bilateral relations and heightened tension between the Hanoi government and the Catholic Church.
Hanoi -
A Vatican delegation led by Mgr Pietro Parolin, undersecretary for relations with states, began on Monday with a meeting with bishops of Thanh Hoa, Nha Trang and Lang Son in Hanoi archbishop’s office, next to the nunciature where thousands of Catholics in Hanoi organized daily prayer vigils in December and January pleading for return of the building that had been confiscated by the Communist leadership in 1959.
On the first day of visit, the delegation also met with 123 priests of Hanoi and neighboring dioceses who are attending an annual training at Hanoi’s Major Seminary. Bishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hai Phong introduced the teaching board. The teaching staff who participates in the annual training program is composed by well-recognized researchers and well-experienced trainers from Seminaries in Viet Nam. It includes bishops of Hai Phong and Lang Son, Fr. Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, Fr. Vincent Nguyen The Thu and Fr. Vincent Dinh Van Nghia, S.J. from Saigon.
Addressing to the priests, Mgr Pietro emphasized the importance of annual training programs for priests especially in the situation where the Church in Vietnam now faces with widespread secularism.
He then went straight to issues that greatly concern the priests. Mgr Pietro explained that the delegation will discuss with Vietnam government on issues of bishop appointments, Church property and freedom of religion.
After a series of visits, the appointment of bishops still remains one of the thorniest issues under discussion, with the officially atheist Communist government refusing to yield control over appointments and the Vatican loath to concede its traditional right to name Church leaders. This conflict has resulted in long delays in the appointment of bishops and diocesan administrators.
The issue of Church property is expected to be high on the agenda of talks planned. Catholics in Hanoi are voicing concerns about the Vietnamese government's commitment to honor its promise that the old offices of the apostolic nuncio will be returned to the Church. In a public statement on February 1, Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of Hanoi confirmed reports that the government had agreed to restore the nuncio's offices, after more than a month of public protests by Catholics. However, so far, the nunciature is still administered by the government and a quick transfer is somehow out of the question.
Hanoi -
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On the first day of visit, the delegation also met with 123 priests of Hanoi and neighboring dioceses who are attending an annual training at Hanoi’s Major Seminary. Bishop Joseph Vu Van Thien of Hai Phong introduced the teaching board. The teaching staff who participates in the annual training program is composed by well-recognized researchers and well-experienced trainers from Seminaries in Viet Nam. It includes bishops of Hai Phong and Lang Son, Fr. Paul Nguyen Thai Hop, Fr. Vincent Nguyen The Thu and Fr. Vincent Dinh Van Nghia, S.J. from Saigon.
Addressing to the priests, Mgr Pietro emphasized the importance of annual training programs for priests especially in the situation where the Church in Vietnam now faces with widespread secularism.
He then went straight to issues that greatly concern the priests. Mgr Pietro explained that the delegation will discuss with Vietnam government on issues of bishop appointments, Church property and freedom of religion.
After a series of visits, the appointment of bishops still remains one of the thorniest issues under discussion, with the officially atheist Communist government refusing to yield control over appointments and the Vatican loath to concede its traditional right to name Church leaders. This conflict has resulted in long delays in the appointment of bishops and diocesan administrators.
The issue of Church property is expected to be high on the agenda of talks planned. Catholics in Hanoi are voicing concerns about the Vietnamese government's commitment to honor its promise that the old offices of the apostolic nuncio will be returned to the Church. In a public statement on February 1, Archbishop Joseph Ngo Quang Kiet of Hanoi confirmed reports that the government had agreed to restore the nuncio's offices, after more than a month of public protests by Catholics. However, so far, the nunciature is still administered by the government and a quick transfer is somehow out of the question.