Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Chairman Le Hoang Quan made the comment during his reception on April 25 for the Archbishop, who is currently in the city for the first annual meeting of the Vietnam Episcopal Council, from April 25 to 29.

The reception saw the presence of Cardinal Pham Minh Man, Archbishop of Ho Chi Minh City Archdiocese (HCMCA).

Quan affirmed that municipal authorities always follow the Party and State’s policies on the practice of religions which contributes to the city’s development, especially in the fields of healthcare and social charity. 

The municipal leader spoke highly of the efforts of Cardinal Pham Minh Man and HCMCA priests to encourage local parishioners to fulfill their role as Vietnamese Catholics.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli said his visit aims to strengthen ties between the Vatican Holy See and the Vietnamese government.

He said he was delighted at Vietnam’s impressive achievements in improving the people’s lives and expressed his belief that the Vietnam Episcopal Council would provide further contributions to the development of Vietnam, especially in the fields of education and health care.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli arrived in Vietnam on April 18 and will stay in the country till May 1.