Hanoi, Jun. 10, 2008 (CWNews.com) - A Vatican diplomatic delegation opened a series of meetings in Vietnam on June 10, concentrating first on questions about the appointment of bishops.
Msgr. Pietro Parolin, a ranking official of the Secretariat of State, heads the Vatican delegation that is visiting Vietnam, seeking to expand the freedom for the Church there. On the first day of their visit, the Vatican representatives met with bishops and clergy of Hanoi and the surrounding dioceses. At a meeting with priests at Hanoi's major seminary, Msgr. Parolin said that the appointment of bishops, and the general issue of religious freedom, were the foremost concern for the Church envoys in their talks with government officials.
Vatican officials have now made 15 trips to Vietnam to speak with leaders of the government, with which the Holy See does not have formal diplomatic relations. The question of episcopal appointments 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 cede its traditional right to name Church leaders. This conflict has resulted in long delays in the appointment of bishops and diocesan administrators.
Disputes over the ownership of properties onced held by the Church are expected to be high on the agenda in talks between the Vatican and government officials. Catholics in Hanoi are voicing concerns about the Vietnamese government's commitment to honor a promise that the old offices of the apostolic nuncio would 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 being administered by the government and a quick transfer of control appears highly unlikely.
Msgr. Pietro Parolin, a ranking official of the Secretariat of State, heads the Vatican delegation that is visiting Vietnam, seeking to expand the freedom for the Church there. On the first day of their visit, the Vatican representatives met with bishops and clergy of Hanoi and the surrounding dioceses. At a meeting with priests at Hanoi's major seminary, Msgr. Parolin said that the appointment of bishops, and the general issue of religious freedom, were the foremost concern for the Church envoys in their talks with government officials.
Vatican officials have now made 15 trips to Vietnam to speak with leaders of the government, with which the Holy See does not have formal diplomatic relations. The question of episcopal appointments 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 cede its traditional right to name Church leaders. This conflict has resulted in long delays in the appointment of bishops and diocesan administrators.
Disputes over the ownership of properties onced held by the Church are expected to be high on the agenda in talks between the Vatican and government officials. Catholics in Hanoi are voicing concerns about the Vietnamese government's commitment to honor a promise that the old offices of the apostolic nuncio would 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 being administered by the government and a quick transfer of control appears highly unlikely.