Dong Nai (VNA) – National Assembly ChairwomanNguyen Thi Kim Ngan extended Christmas greetings to the Catholic communitywhile visiting the Catholic Diocese of Xuan Loc in the southern province ofDong Nai on December 19.

Speaking at the meeting, the NA Chairwoman attributed thecountry’s socio-economic achievements to the Catholic community’s contributionsand highlighted the role of Catholic dignitaries in local development.

She affirmed that the Party, State, and localities willcontinue to pay attention to the repair and upgrade of places of worship, thusmeeting the legitimate demand of the community.

Ngan hailed the provincial authorities for following theParty and State’s policies of creating conditions for religious establishmentsin line with the law, contributing to local socio-economic development.

On the occasion, she mentioned the Law on Belief andReligion that took effect in early 2018 which made it easier for religiousfollowers, including Catholics, to contribute to national socio-economicdevelopment.

She wished that Catholic dignitaries and followers of XuanLoc Diocese would continue to uphold their tradition of patriotism and a positiveoutlook.

Bishop of the Xuan Loc Diocese Dinh Duc Dao pledged to urgeCatholic dignitaries and followers to uphold the power of great national unityand continue contributing to the nation.

The Xuan Loc Diocese is now home to more than 1 million Catholicfollowers in 272 parishes. This year, it donated billions of VND to supportresidents in flood-hit areas and launched the Hoa Binh Xuan Loc College witheight faculties offering training in 18 fields.–VNA