Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of Home Affairs Pham ThiThanh Tra received visiting Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, theVatican's Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations,in Hanoi on April 10.

Highlighting the diversity of religions in Vietnam, Tra said thereare 16 religions, 36 religious organisations, and 27 million religiousfollowers in Vietnam who account for 27% of the country’s population. Catholicismhas about 7 million followers, ranking second in the number of followers in thecountry.

Minister Tra appreciated the contributions of Catholic followers to nationaldevelopment and defence while speaking highly of the role of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Vietnam in guiding the development of Catholicism in thecountry and instructing followers to lead a good secular and religious life.

The minister attributed those results to efforts by theVietnamese Party and State and religious followers, including Catholics, aswell as support from the Vatican.

Tra expressed her delight that relations between Vietnam and the Vatican have beengrowing and obtaining good results, describing the presence of the first ResidentPapal Representative in Vietnam as a clear demonstration of the soundrelations.

Tra thanked the Vatican's Secretary forRelations with States and International Organisations for considerablyhelping to promote relations between the two sides.

As the state management body for religious affairs, theMinistry of Home Affairs will coordinate with the CatholicBishops’ Conference of Vietnam to provide favourable conditions for activitiesof the Resident Papal Representative, the host officialstated.

For his part, Gallagher said he hopesfollowing the agreement on the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam,bilateral ties will continue to be reinforced and upgraded.

Heconsidered achievements in the Vietnam - Vatican relations as an illustrationof the presence of the Catholic Church in Vietnam as seen in the local administration’srecognition and favourable conditions for the Church to perform its functions,including contributing to national development, caring for the poor, andbringing love to all.

The achievements obtained so far will open up new paths forthe Church to continue affirming its presence in Vietnam and engaging more inhealth care and education, he noted, mentioning Vietnamese authorities’permission for the establishment of the Vietnam Catholic Academy.

Sharing Gallagher’s opinions on healthcare andeducational affairs, Minister Tra said the Vietnamese side will helppromote these two areas.

Shealso suggested Minister Gallagher visitparishes, dioceses, and Catholic followers in the country to see the solidarity of religionsand religious followers in the community of all Vietnamese ethnic groups.

The host voiced her hope that under the leadership of the CatholicBishops' Conference of Vietnam, Catholic followers will continue following PopeBenedict XVI’s teaching that to be a good Christian is to be a good citizen,and the relations between Vietnam and the Vatican will continue to flourish./.