288-7-2023 (HANOI) The Vatican and Vietnam have reached an agreement to establish a Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi, marking a significant milestone in their bilateral relations. The announcement was made on Thursday (Jul 27) following Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s private audience with Pope Francis.
The decision comes after years of efforts by a joint working group that began its endeavors in 2009. Both parties expressed their desire to advance bilateral relations through a joint statement.
The move towards establishing a Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi is seen as a crucial step that could eventually lead to full diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Vietnam. Furthermore, it could serve as a potential model for developing ties with China.
Notably, the Vatican has privately requested China to permit a permanent papal representative in Beijing. Vatican officials hope that Vietnam’s acceptance could serve as a persuasive precedent to encourage China to take a similar stance.
Diplomatic relations between the Vatican and China have been strained since the 2018 accord on the appointment of bishops, which the Vatican claims China has violated on multiple occasions. By having a representative in Beijing, the Vatican aims to mitigate potential issues and facilitate smoother relations.
Vietnam severed ties with the Vatican following the communist regime’s takeover of the united country after the Vietnam War in 1975. The authorities at the time viewed the Catholic Church in Vietnam as being too closely associated with the country’s former colonial power, France.
The joint statement between the Vatican and Vietnam echoed arguments the Vatican has used in its attempts to engage China in furthering diplomatic relations. It emphasized the capacity of Vietnamese citizens to be “good Catholics and good citizens,” contributing to the country’s development.
Vietnam has a significant Catholic population of nearly 7 million, comprising about 6.6 percent of the country’s total population of 95 million. The Vietnamese constitution guarantees freedom of religion, and the government has refuted criticisms from organizations like the US Commission on International Religious Freedom, which has designated Vietnam as a “country of particular concern.”
However, independent Catholic news agency UCA, specializing in Asia, reported that the Vietnamese government imposes certain restrictions on Catholic activities, including limiting the number of parishes.
The current papal representative to Vietnam, Archbishop Marek Zalewski, is based in Singapore, where he serves as the Vatican’s nuncio (ambassador). With government approval, he is permitted to make occasional working visits to Vietnam.
As the details of the new Hanoi-based papal representative are yet to be revealed, this historic agreement signifies a positive development in Vatican-Vietnam relations, fostering hopes for future diplomatic progress with China. The Vatican, as a sovereign city-state, maintains diplomatic relations with approximately 180 countries worldwide.
