Vatican sees progress in Vietnam despite conflict in Vinh diocese

September 19, 2013

The Vatican has announced “positive developments in the bilateral relations” between the Holy See and Vietnam, despite serious tensions in the Vinh diocese, after a visit to Rome by a Vietnamese government delegation, the Fides news service reports.

The escalating Church-state tensions in the Vinh diocese were on the agenda during talks between the Vietnamese delegates and officials of the Congregation for Evangelization. But while acknowledging that the conflict requires “further investigation,” the Vatican also called attention to more promising news, such as the government’s move to end restrictions on the number of men entering Vietnamese seminaries. While pledging Catholic support for legitimate government authority, the Vatican suggested that the government could serve the people of Vietnam by allowing the Church to open more schools.

 

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Further information:

• Dialogue with the Holy See, tension in the diocese of Vinh (Fides)
• Viet bishop asks international help to counter government propaganda campaign (CWN, 9/18)