This year, good news has come to many Vietnamese Christians with Vietnamese Roman Catholics priests visiting Rome, which they only do every five years. During their visit, Pope Benedict XVI sent a message to Vietnamese Christians saying that good Christians are also good citizens while reiterating the 1980 Common Letter from the Vietnam Bishop Council in which it said living the gospel amidst the nation brings happiness to the people.

The Vietnam Catholic Church said that the whole Christian population is always closely attached to the nation and has made a significant contribution to the country’s development.

This year, State President Nguyen Minh Triet visited many European countries and made a stopover in Rome where he met Pope Benedict XVI. President Triet confirmed that Vietnam is ready to strengthen relations with the Vatican on the basis of respecting the fundamental principles of International Law, peace, cooperation and development in the world.

The Vietnamese State always respects and ensures people’s rights, including freedom of belief and considers all religions as part of the great national bloc of unity. Thanks to due attention of administrations at all levels, every religion in Vietnam is provided with the best possible conditions to develop, especially Catholics.

There is no denying that all religious people in Vietnam practise their religious activities in a free and natural manner and their legitimate aspirations are dealt with harmoniously and reasonably because they are an indispensable part of the nation.

This finds vivid expression in the opening of the new Jubilee Year in So Kien diocese and Christians holding bible nights in Hanoi, HCM City and Nam Dinh to celebrate Christmas.

For Christians, Christmas is a chance to show their respect to God and to save their soul from the sins they have committed. But above all, Christmas is also a chance for a peaceful reconciliation with God, with others and with oneself as well.