Hanoi local government paid visit to Archbishop Joseph Ngô Quang Kiệt on the Lunar New Year occasion. The greeting visit was seen as an effort to defuse tensions with the Church.
Hanoi - On January 22, Ms. Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng, deputy chairwoman of the capital’s People’s Committee, led a crowded delegation of officials to pay visit to Archbishop Joseph Ngô “on the Lunar New Year occasion”. The visit surprised the prelate and Hanoi Catholics as the fete is still far away. Vietnam will not celebrate the Lunar New Year or “Tết” until February 7.
Ms. Ngô, who provoked angers in Catholic community with a statement on January 14, accusing the prelate of “using freedom of religion to provoke protests against the government” thus “damaging relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.”, and hinting that a crackdown was likely; did not explicitly apologize for the statement. But this so early greeting probably said by itself.
Cardinal Paul Joseph Phạm Đình Tụng, retired archbishop of Hanoi, and Fr. John Lê Trọng Cung, who issued a sharp rejoinder against Ms. Ngô, also attended the meeting.
As usual, local authorities “recognised contributions paid by Archbishop Joseph Ngô and the Catholic community to the common cause for a society of peace, equality, progress and development”, state-controlled television reported. The “refrain” has been repeated every year. But this year it seemed to be "interesting" as it constrasted dramatically with the threatening languages issued just a few days earlier.
A source in the Archbishop Residence reported that the Church property disputes were not discussed during the meeting.
The visit was seen by Vietnamese Catholics as a "tactic gesture" rather than an act of goodwill.
Hanoi - On January 22, Ms. Ngô Thị Thanh Hằng, deputy chairwoman of the capital’s People’s Committee, led a crowded delegation of officials to pay visit to Archbishop Joseph Ngô “on the Lunar New Year occasion”. The visit surprised the prelate and Hanoi Catholics as the fete is still far away. Vietnam will not celebrate the Lunar New Year or “Tết” until February 7.
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| Archbishop Joseph Ngô and Ms. Ngô |
Ms. Ngô, who provoked angers in Catholic community with a statement on January 14, accusing the prelate of “using freedom of religion to provoke protests against the government” thus “damaging relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.”, and hinting that a crackdown was likely; did not explicitly apologize for the statement. But this so early greeting probably said by itself.
Cardinal Paul Joseph Phạm Đình Tụng, retired archbishop of Hanoi, and Fr. John Lê Trọng Cung, who issued a sharp rejoinder against Ms. Ngô, also attended the meeting.
As usual, local authorities “recognised contributions paid by Archbishop Joseph Ngô and the Catholic community to the common cause for a society of peace, equality, progress and development”, state-controlled television reported. The “refrain” has been repeated every year. But this year it seemed to be "interesting" as it constrasted dramatically with the threatening languages issued just a few days earlier.
A source in the Archbishop Residence reported that the Church property disputes were not discussed during the meeting.
The visit was seen by Vietnamese Catholics as a "tactic gesture" rather than an act of goodwill.