Catholics in Hanoi are voicing concerns about the Vietnamese government's commitment to honor a promise that the nunciature would be returned to the Church after a two-day visit of the Vatican delegation without any success.
After two days in Hanoi, this morning, the Vatican delegation left Hanoi for Da Lat, a province in Central Highland of Vietnam. No official statement was issued.
Catholic sources in Hanoi report that the delegation met with a number of government officials including Pham Gia Khiem, the foreign minister and deputy prime minister. During meetings, the delegation raised issues relating to the appointment of bishops, religious freedom, and disputes over the ownership of properties once held by the Church. In particular, the delegation discussed with government officials on the requisition of the nunciature in Hanoi.
Nguyen The Thao, the chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi City, when asked by Mgr Pietro Parolin about the government plan to return the nunciature, bushed around the issue. He praised the “contribution offered by the Catholic community in the common cause for a society of peace, equality, progress and development” but failed to mention any concrete plan to solve the dispute.
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| Mgr Pietro Parolin met with Nguyen The Thao |
Catholic sources in Hanoi report that the delegation met with a number of government officials including Pham Gia Khiem, the foreign minister and deputy prime minister. During meetings, the delegation raised issues relating to the appointment of bishops, religious freedom, and disputes over the ownership of properties once held by the Church. In particular, the delegation discussed with government officials on the requisition of the nunciature in Hanoi.
Nguyen The Thao, the chairman of the People's Committee of Hanoi City, when asked by Mgr Pietro Parolin about the government plan to return the nunciature, bushed around the issue. He praised the “contribution offered by the Catholic community in the common cause for a society of peace, equality, progress and development” but failed to mention any concrete plan to solve the dispute.