During a working visit to Italy, Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang and a delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs visited and held talks with the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, Dicastery for Communication and Vatican Radio.

Vietnamese Catholics contribute to national life

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation, Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, the Vatican’s Secretary for Relations with States, said Cardinal Pietro Parolin, the Vatican’s Secretary of State, had met Vietnam’s Party General Secretary and President To Lam in New York during the high-level general debate of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.

“I am very pleased that we can now meet and exchange views on the good relations of friendship and cooperation between the Vatican and Vietnam,” Archbishop Gallagher said.

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Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang and the delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs pose for a photograph with Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher.
 

Thanking Archbishop Gallagher for receiving the delegation, Khang outlined the situation of belief and religion in Vietnam, including Catholicism.

Vietnam is home to many beliefs and religions, he said. Its Catholic community numbers about 7.8 million people across 27 dioceses and more than 3,000 parishes, with 8,150 priests and 280 religious orders.

“Catholics have made active and important contributions to the building and development of Vietnam,” the minister said.

Khang said that, as the state body responsible for ethnic and religious affairs, his ministry advises the Vietnamese government on creating favorable conditions for religions, including Catholicism, to operate in accordance with Vietnamese law. He said this allows them to preserve their identity and teachings while drawing on their resources and promoting their moral and charitable values.

“The guidance of the Vatican and the Pope has encouraged the Catholic Church in Vietnam to follow a path of accompanying the nation. That has helped advance diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Vatican. I believe those relations will continue to develop positively,” Khang said.

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Minister Khang explains the meaning of a commemorative gift from the Vietnamese delegation for the Pope to Archbishop Gallagher.
 

Khang praised the Vatican’s diplomatic efforts to promote peace and its humanitarian work in regions around the world. He expressed appreciation for the Vatican and its contributions to Catholic churches in different countries, including Vietnam.

“We highly value the contributions of the Vatican’s Secretariat of State, and particularly your personal efforts, in advancing Vietnam–Vatican relations,” he said.

The minister expressed hope that the diplomatic authorities of Vietnam and the Vatican would work toward a visit to Vietnam by the Pope.

Gallagher thanked Khang for his warm and friendly remarks and affirmed that the Vatican would continue to advance relations between the two sides.

He also welcomed the delegation’s assessment of the Secretariat of State’s work and Vietnam’s care and responsibility toward its Catholic community. He said the Vatican consistently encourages priests and Catholics to contribute positively to their country and to live and practice their faith in accordance with the law.

Difficulties exist everywhere and should be shared and addressed together, Gallagher said. He added that the Vatican values its relationship with the Vietnamese Embassy in Rome and with Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs on matters concerning religion and ethnicity.

Cooperation to share information on religion in Vietnam

Earlier, on September 22, the Vietnamese delegation visited and held talks with Vatican Radio, part of Vatican News. Paolo Ruffini, prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, and Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of Vatican News, received the delegation.

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During a visit to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, Minister Khang presents a gift to Paolo Ruffini.
 

Founded in 1931, Vatican Radio is the Vatican’s official radio service. Two Vietnamese-born Jesuit priests currently work there: Father Nguyen Van Yen, head of Vatican News’ Vietnamese-language section, and Father Cao Gia An, who produces content, hosts programs and coordinates in-depth talk show series such as “Building a House on Rock” and “Holy Year – Year of Grace.” He has interviewed bishops, priests, members of religious orders and lay Catholics in Vietnam and abroad.

In talks with the delegation, leaders of the Dicastery for Communication and Vatican News said peace and dialogue are foundational values in today’s world, particularly in religious and interfaith dialogue.

Vatican News reports news from the Vatican and the Church around the world in 58 languages.

Many Vatican staff members use their native languages to convey the Pope’s message to their home countries. That includes Vietnamese-language broadcasts bringing Gospel messages to Vietnam.

The Vatican media leaders reiterated that peace and dialogue, especially between religions, are foundational values in today’s world and a focus of Vatican News’ coverage.

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Andrea Tornielli, editorial director of Vatican News, speaks with Minister Khang.
 

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The delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs visits Vatican News.
 

Thanking the Dicastery for Communication and Vatican News for what he described as their objective reporting on religious issues in Vietnam, Khang said Vietnam deeply values peace and dialogue.

“Vietnam has lived through wars, so we greatly cherish peace. In pursuing peace, we have also set aside obstacles and become friends with countries around the world,” he said.

Khang praised the Vietnamese priests working at the Vatican, including at Vatican News. He expressed hope that they would continue sharing information with the world about Catholic activities, religious life and the cultural values of Vietnam’s Catholic community.

He also called for closer ties between the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communication, Vatican News and Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs. Khang invited Ruffini and Tornielli to visit Vietnam and the ministry.