HOLY SEE DELEGATION RETURNS FROM TRIP TO VIETNAM

VATICAN CITY, MAY 8, 2000 (VIS) - A Holy See delegation comprising Msgr. Celestino Migliore, under-secretary for Relations with States, and Msgr. Barnaba Nguyen Van Phuong, bureau chief of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, returned to Rome yesterday following a five-day visit to Vietnam, according to a communique published this afternoon.

The delegation met with members of the Permanent Council of the Episcopal Conference of Vietnam and with government officials.

"With the government authorities, they discussed various aspects of the presence and the life of the Catholic Church in the country. They spoke of the appointments of bishops, for which a answer from the Vietnamese side is awaited in the near future. They also touched upon the theme of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Holy See.

"The delegation visited Phu Cuong. During the Eucharistic celebration on May 4 in the cathedral, the numerous faithful present manifested their deep communion with the Pope."

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