Press Release on the Meeting of the
Viêt Nam – Holy See Joint Working Group
(Friday 17 May 2024)
A Meeting of the Viet Nam – Holy See Joint Working Group took place in Ha Noi on the 17th of May 2024. The Meeting was co-chaired by H.E Ms. Le Thi Thu Hang, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Head of the Vietnamese Delegation, and Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski, Under-Secretary for Relations with States, Head of the Holy See Delegation.
The meeting is the first to take place following the conclusion, on the 27th of July 2023, of the Agreement between Viet Nam and the Holy See on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and on the Office of the Resident Papal Representative of the Holy See in Viet Nam.
The two sides had a broad and thorough exchange of views on Viet Nam – Holy See relations, including issues related to the Catholic Church in Viet Nam.
While reaffirming the freedom of the Church to carry out its mission for the good of the whole of society, they noted that the Catholic Community in Viet Nam will continue to be inspired by the Magisterium of the Church regarding the practice of "living the gospel in the world" and being, at the same time, good Christians and good citizens.
The two sides acknowledged the progress in Viet Nam – Holy See relations, thanks to regular contacts and consultations, the exchange of high-level delegations and the activities of the Resident Papal Representative, Archbishop Marek Zalewski.
The meeting was characterized by an atmosphere of cordiality, frankness and mutual respect.
Before departing from Viet Nam, the delegation of the Holy See paid a courtesy visit to certain Vietnamese Authorities and met with the Archbishop of Ha Noi, H.E. Joseph Vũ Văn Thiên.
