Church, state can cooperate in Vietnam, Pope says
June 30, 2009
"Healthy collaboration between the Church and the political community is possible," Pope Benedict XVI said at a meeting with Vietnamese bishops making their ad limina visits to Rome. Addressing the persistent tensions between the Catholic Church and the government of Vietnam, the Holy Father said that political leaders must realize that the Church "does not seek to substitute for government," but only "to help people to sanctity" and serve the common good.
During his audience with the Vietnamese bishops the Pope praised the memory of Cardinal Paul Joseph Phan Ding, who died in February. He also mentioned the initiative undertaken by the Vietnamese hierarchy to strengthen pastoral support for family life.
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