US President George W. Bush, his wife Laura Bush, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other US officials attended a service at Cua Bac Church in Hanoi on the morning of November 19 together with almost 500 Protestants and Catholics.
"Laura and I were proud to worship with believers here in Hanoi," President Bush told journalists after the service. "We were touched by the simplicity and the beauty of the moment. We appreciate very much the congregation for allowing us to come and worship with them."
The US President also expressed his hope that people all across the will would be able to express religion freedom and personal faith.
Many believers said they were deeply impressed by the presence of President Bush and other US officials during the one-hour service. Hoang Thi Minh Hien, a 63-year-old Protestant, said she was happy to attend the mass with President Bush. She said she prayed for a world of peace and happiness and believed that the relations between Vietnam and the US will further develop in the future.
According to Priest Nguyen Quoc Khanh of the church, the participation of President Bush – a Protestant - in the service was a good omen as there was no much difference between Catholics and Protestants who were using the same Bibles with the same translations. In addition, he said the service showed unity between Catholics and Protestants.
Construction of Cua Bac Church began in 1924 and was completed in 1927. At 10.00 every Sunday, the church holds a service for foreign expatriates living and working in Vietnam.
