Vietnamese Catholics hope to meet the Pope in the near future
In Vietnam, government media have stressed that the president’s visit to the Pope is part of a process that should lead to diplomatic relations. They have focused on talks between the Pope and the president, who is the second high Vietnamese official to visit the Vatican after Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung came in January 2007.
Vietnam started its march towards integration with the rest of the world in 1987 when it began opening up its economy. One of the five remaining ‘Socialist’ nations in the world, the country is also one of the poorest, especially burdened by a long war in the 20th century. Despite past and recent economic crises, it has had a growth rate between 6.5 and 8.5 per cent since it opened its doors. The current crisis has been felt but not as much as elsewhere.
North Vietnam and the Holy See broke off diplomatic relations in the 1950s, and the Vatican moved its mission to Saigon. When unification occurred in 1975, ties were cut off completely.
During this year’s ‘ad limina’ visit, Vietnamese bishops invited the Pontiff to visit the country during the current Jubilee marking 350 years of evangelisation and the 50 years of the country’s Catholic hierarchy. Celebrations are set to end on 6 January 2011.
Vietnam has diplomatic relations with more than 100 countries. It still subscribes to Marxist theory but faces many social problems. State and religions hold different viewpoints, and this has meant to an anti-religious bias, at least among local officials whose suspicions about religious activities are the result of ignorance and a lack of communication. Given this situation, religions have been seen as opposing national policies, and this has led to conflict. People, especially the poor, end up bearing the burden of suspicion and discrimination.
During the ‘ad limina’ visit by Vietnamese bishops, Benedict XVI said, “We live in the Gospel and the nation, and do not want to replace the government. We want dialogue and good collaboration.”
On 28 November, Mgr Bui Van Doc, bishop of My Tho and chairman of the Committee on Catechism and Faith of the Vietnam Bishops’ Council, talked about dialogue and cooperation with the government. “The Church,” he explained, “calls on all its members to build a fair, truthful and humane society. The Church does not want to replace government; it only hopes for a spirit of dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect. The Church is part of the nation and wants to serve the people.”
Vietnam is a Socialist nation that has opened up its economy to capitalism. The Communist government rules the nation, the State guides it, and the people “own” it.
The government has always claimed that it respects freedom of religion and that it provides the bases for its development. However, anti-Catholic discrimination and bias have occurred in the past.
The establishment of diplomatic relations with the Holy See is part of a process of communication, discussion and cooperation that has progressed over the past 20 years. During that period, contacts have been established and delegations have met at different levels. An official joint working group met in February to discuss the re-establishment of diplomatic relations. Both sides have confirmed that progress has been made, but formal diplomatic relations have not yet been announced.
During his meeting with the Pope, President Triet invited the Holy Father to visit the country.
For the Vatican, the president’s visit is a “positive signal” and can help relations to develop. However, nothing has changed yet for Vietnam’s Catholic community. Many of its members are still concerned that the visit might just be diplomatic propaganda.
At home, everyone wants good bilateral relations to reduce religious tensions in the country, the government because it wants to run the Catholic community, the Vatican because it wants a legal basis to protect it.
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27/06/2006
