On August 24, at a conference of leaders of the Party, State, and Fatherland Front of Vietnam to meet with representatives of all classes of people, Grand Cross of the Cross Gioan Baotixita Le Duc Thinh affirmed that Catholics pledge to join hands and accompany all religions and people nationwide to successfully achieve the noble goal of the people and the strength of the country.
According to Grand Cross Gioan Baotixita Le Duc Thinh, the history of the catholics' mission in Vietnam since 1533, but during that process, due to many reasons, the companionship and responsibility with the nation of the catholics were somewhat slow until the country gained independence on September 2, 1945; agreed on April 30, 1975, the history of the Vietnamese catholics also entered a new page. Vietnamese Catholics enjoy full and truly catholics, mastering the Doctrine and dignitaries of Vietnam.
In the new context, the Congregation is very aware of the role of the Catholics in the hearts of the nation and in 1980, the Vietnam Council of Presbyters was established, issued a Joint Letter to determine the guiding direction of living Phuc am in the hearts of the nation to serve the happiness of the people. This event is like a milestone, opening a new way for Vietnamese Catholics to express their patriotism and have practical activities to contribute to the construction of their homeland.
Since then, the direction of activities of Vietnamese Catholics has become increasingly closer and more responsible to the nation, implemented through specific and practical activities as the announcement of the 3rd Congress of the Vietnam Board of Directors determined: In the task of building and defending the Fatherland, lets strive to contribute more to the efforts of each person, specifically in the current situation of the country. We try to work hard and save as much as possible in all fields, to make the Fatherland of Vietnam increasingly prosperous. We are both Catholics and citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, those two qualities cannot be in conflict with each other, if we live a true life and have a sincere patriotism.
The spirit of companionship and responsibility towards the country and the nation of Catholics continues to receive encouragement from the Holy See and the Popes through the exhortation and message of Saint Dominic XVI in 2009 and the Letter of Saint Dominic dating to the Vietnam catholic Community in 2023. Along with appropriate religious policies and the increasingly strong position of the country, the spirit of great national unity makes Catholics more secure and actively contribute to the cause of national construction, affirmed Grand Cross of the Cross of the Cross of the Cross of the Cross of the Cross of the cross.
According to Grand Cross Le Duc Thinh, the Vietnamese catholics currently have 27 parishes, over 7 million followers, accounting for over 7% of the population, over 7 thousand dignitaries; about 30 thousand monks of the orders, parishes, and reform houses are a great human resource that have been contributing to the development of the country, bringing the image of Catholics more vividly in religious life and social life in Vietnam.
The achievements that Vietnamese Catholics have achieved have contributed to building the country in many fields, especially in charity and social security activities, along with other religions and social organizations that sympathize and share with the poor and the disadvantaged. The system of kindergartens, kindergartens, vocational training facilities, and free medical examination and treatment facilities is present across the country.
Chatists are willing to contribute and be present in places where the people and the country need them, share and join hands to build great solidarity houses, build bridges for people, bring clean water to the people, directly participate in the frontline of fighting epidemics, providing disaster relief and many other meaningful activities, which is enough to demonstrate the patriotism and social responsibility of the Vietnamese catholic community, Father of the Great value Le Duc Thinh emphasized.
According to Grand Cross Le Duc Thinh, with the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country, the process of accompanying Catholics is slower, but throughout that process, the Church has also constantly researched, created, promoted cultural integration activities, bringing the spirit of the Catholics closer to the traditional culture imbued with Vietnamese national identity.
During that profound direction, Vietnamese Catholics have been identified as citizens of the country, we have equal obligations and rights in society, actively participating in activities in the fields of politics, economics, culture, society and security - defense to contribute to building and developing the country, protecting the Fatherland - Father of the Great value Le Duc Thinh affirmed.
In the era of the country's rise, Grand Cross of the Cross, Captain Le Duc Thinh, said that Catholics are very aware of their responsibilities, vowing to join hands and accompany other religions and people across the country to successfully achieve the noble goal for the people and the strength of the country. And also to implement the Teaching of Saint Vincent XVI, Saint Francis advised in the Huyen since 2009 and the Letter to the Vietnam Catholic Community on the occasion of recognizing the Agreement on the Regulations for the Permanent Representative of the Holy See and the Permanent Representative Office of the Holy See in Vietnam issued on September 8, 2023 that: "The Holy See absolutely has no intention of replacing government leaders, but only hopes to be able to participate legitimately in the life of the country, to serve the nation, in the spirit of dialogue and cooperation with respect".
With the time of presence in Vietnam, with the fundamental contributions of the Kristan community, we are proud and affirm that in the new era of the country, Vietnamese Catholics continue to be ready to commit to activities for the happiness of the people as the Society set out in the 1980 Joint Letter: Following the work of our ancestors, today's Society must also strive to build the country in all aspects: culture, society, as well as economy, politics and Love for the Fatherland and compatriots for the Catholics is not only a natural affection, but also a requirement of the Son of the Prophecy, Father of the Supreme Court Le Duc Thinh emphasized.
We also expect and believe in the wise and responsible leadership of the General Secretary, leaders of the Party, State, the Vietnam Fatherland Front and local governments so that people and followers of all religions can feel secure in living a belief and contribute more to the great project of our country - Father of the Supreme Court Gioan Baotisa Le Duc Thinh expressed.
The knighthood title has been in place since 1831, demonstrating the Pope's gratitude to parishioners with great merits in the church and society. The Grand Cross of the Cross is one of the highest ranks. Mr. Le Duc Thinh and his wife, Ms. Nguyen Thi Kim Yen, were awarded the title of Grand Cross and Grand Cross of the Lady by President Benedict XVI on June 12, 2007.
