Vatican-Vietnam relations are vastly improved because of Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s efforts, says Pope Francis. After learning of the General Secretary’s passing on 22 July, Francis sent condolences to Vietnam’s president and spoke of Trong’s major contribution to the diplomatic process. The Pope’s message expressed his gratitude for Trong’s fostering, promoting and Read more
The Vatican and Vietnam are finalising a deal that will help improve their long strained relations. Sources say the new deal will allow the Holy See to have a resident representative in communist-run Vietnam. Both sources, a senior Vatican official and a Hanoi-based diplomat, say they think the deal’s formal announcement will take place later Read more
In a display of creativity, faith and resilience, ‘resting’ Catholics in Vietnam are making a spiritual resurgence. This is despite facing government restrictions on religious activities. These people have begun returning, seeking solace and reconnecting with their religious roots. Over the past decade, Vietnam has experienced a decline in religious practice, with a significant number Read more
Evangelisation doesn’t depend on big parishes, says Hanoi’s Archbishop Joseph Vu Van Thien. Even tiny ones, like those with just 70-200 parishioners each, can still evangelise others. The way Catholics live out their faith is what’s important, he says. They should trust in God, who always loves and blesses them. They should also try to Read more
A Catholic Vietnamese community in the small Mississippi city of Biloxi has just celebrated the first 20 years of having its own church in its own parish. The Vietnamese Martyrs Church is the state’s only all-Vietnamese Catholic parish. Last Sunday hundreds gathered for celebrations at the church, filling a building that has always been a Read more
Catholic communities in a northwestern Vietnamese province which refused to accept religions have had their legal status approved by the government after a decades-long wait. On Aug. 21, Lai Chau provincial authorities announced that they had officially allowed Hung Hoa Diocese to establish Lai Chau Parish based in San Thang commune in Lai Chau city. Read more
A Vietnam court has jailed an outspoken Catholic blogger, known for commenting on social issues, for allegedly trying to undermine the state. The People’s Court in Lam Dong province on July 7 sentenced Nguyen Quoc Duc Vuong, 29, to eight years in jail and three years’ probation for “making, hoarding and disseminating anti-state propaganda.” The Read more
Intellectuals in Vietnam are having a heated debate about a city’s plan to name streets after two 17th century Jesuit missionaries. The Jesuits are credited with systematizing the country’s official language. Since October, authorities in Da Nang have collected public opinions about a plan to name 137 streets in the southern central city by the Read more
A diocese in northern Vietnam has started training parishioners how to become reporters so they can help promote evangelization and share church news with local people. The Hung Hoa Diocesan Communication Committee and Yen Bai Deanery held the first ever course on communication skills Sept. 19 and 20. The 24 attendees, mostly in their 20s Read more
A Holy See-Vietnam diplomacy working group, which met inside the Vatican this week, reached an agreement on establishing a permanent resident papal representative to the southeast Asian country. A resident papal representative is considered an intermediary step in diplomatic relations, below an apostolic nuncio. The Holy See and Vietnam have never had full diplomatic relations, Read more