The deputy head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Nguyen Thanh Xuan acknowledged the contributions made by Protestant dignitaries and followers to the localities where they lived at a get-together in Ho Chi Minh City on Dec. 22.

Mr Xuan said that Protestant organizations had built a straightforward and sincere relationship based on the spirit of sharing and cooperating with local governments at different levels, contributing to the State’s management over religious affairs, and stabilising religious activities in localities where they lived.

He asked leaders of religious organisations to strengthen information sharing and to boost Protestant followers’ beliefs in the Party and Government in regards to religious issues.

Deputy Secretary of the city Party Committee Nguyen Van Dua headed the delegation comprising dignitaries from the HCM City Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Fatherland Front Committee.

At a meeting with the city’s Committee for Catholic Solidarity, Mr Dua wished Catholic dignitaries and followers a happy and peaceful Christmas season and further success in combining worship of God with love for nation to contribute to the city’s development.

Nguyen Vinh Danh, a priest and chairman of the Vietnam Committee for Catholic Solidarity, thanked the Party and Government officials for helping Catholic clergy and followers contribute to the nation’s construction and development.

The Vice chairman of the Hanoi City People’s Committee, Dao Van Binh, also paid a Christmas visit to the Seminary and the Co Nhue Catholic Diocese in the capital’s suburban district of Tu Liem.

Binh wished Catholic followers a merry and peaceful Christmas, and said he hopes they will continue living the Gospel in solidarity with the nation while serving God.

The Vice director of the Hanoi Seminary, Priest Vu Tat, thanked the city’s leaders for their attention to Catholic followers.

The same day, Mr Binh also presented gifts to heroic mother Dang Thi Nhung, a 90-year-old Catholic in Dong Da district.

Earlier on Dec. 21, the deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation, Nguyen Manh Hung, paid a Christmas visit and presented gifts to Bishop Vu Huy Chuong of the Hung Hoa Catholic Diocese in Hanoi.