Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Vu Chien Thang (R) and Under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States Monsignor Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese official made the affirmation at a reception for Under-Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States Monsignor Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski who is on a working visit to Viet Nam on April 21.

Mr. Thang stated that Viet Nam always respects and guarantees the right to belief and religious freedom of citizens, and briefed the guest on policies and laws on belief and religion of the Vietnamese Party and State. He noted that in Viet Nam everyone has the right to freely practice belief and religious activities either in their own homes or at places of worship.

The ethical, cultural and humane values of religions are disseminated in social life, while resources of religions are being promoted for the cause of national construction and development, he added. Many religious dignitaries have been models of both devotions to religion and contribution to patriotic emulation movements, as well as to the building of a healthy cultural environment in residential areas, and the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years.

The Vietnamese Government acknowledges and appreciates the involvement and efforts of religious organisations in preventing and dealing with pandemic COVID-19, Thang said, expressing the hope that the Holy See will continue directing the Catholic Church in Viet Nam to contribute to further strengthening Viet Nam - Vatican relations.

For his part, Monsignor Wachowski said he hopes to contribute to the development of Viet Nam - the Holy See relations. He added that after being appointed as Undersecretary for Relations with States of the Vatican, he wanted to visit Vietnam - the beautiful, peace-loving country.

He showed pleasure at the efforts and contributions made by the Catholic Church of Viet Nam to social welfare activities and its compliance with laws on religious activities in Viet Nam.

Mr.Thang suggested Monsignor Miroslaw Stanislaw Wachowski and the Holy See's relevant agencies to coordinate with Vietnamese authorities to promote bilateral relations, and pay attention to appointing bishops to dioceses with vacant seats, and to dioceses whose bishops are at the retirement age.

The Holy See's official mentioned talks held by the two sides to promote their relations, expressing the hope that the 9th round of talks will go well and achieve the contents of operational regulations for the Resident Envoy of the Holy See in Viet Nam.