ASIA/VIETNAM - A step forward in relations with Holy See: the fruit of 20 years' labor

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The significant breakthrough in relations between the Holy See and Vietnam is "the fruit of twenty years of work, begun in 1990 by Cardinal Roger Etchegaray," says a source of Fides, commenting on the results of the meeting between the delegation of Vietnam and the Vatican that recently ended. In November of that year, a Holy See delegation led by Cardinal Etchegaray, arrived in Hanoi and met with the then Prime Minister, Do Muoi. The patient work of rapprochement was begun and today we are reaping the benefits: "It is a step that will certainly help the local church and civil authorities of the country to have effective relations with the Holy See," notes the source of Fides.
As the final communiqué issued at the conclusion of the talks stated, the Holy Father will appoint a "non-resident representative" of the Holy See to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
The "Joint Working Group," has commented on the progress made since the first such meeting held in February 2009. Besides having faced "international issues and issues related to bilateral relations and the Catholic Church in Vietnam,” the two sides discussed the issue of religious freedom. The Vietnamese delegation focused on "the consistent lines of Vietnamese policy in respect to freedom of religion and belief, as well as legal measures to guarantee its implementation."
The Holy See has asked “that further conditions be established so that the Church may participate effectively in the development of the country,” listing several areas including the spiritual, educational, healthcare, social and charitable fields, in which the Church intends to offer a special contribution for the progress of the country. The meeting reiterated the wishes and hopes for the evolution of relations between the Holy See and Vietnam. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/06/2009)