National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has praised what the VietnamCommittee for Catholic Solidarity (VCCS) has done since itsestablishment 30 years ago, especially its efforts to unite Catholicfollowers nationwide for socio-economic development.

He made the remark while receiving a VCCS delegation in Hanoi onNovember 20, who came to inform him of the outcomes of the sixthCongress of Vietnamese Catholics for National Construction and Defencethat took place in the capital city on November 19-20.

Chairman Hung stated that the Party and State always follow theconsistent policy of respecting and ensuring the right to freedom ofbeliefs and religions or no religion at all which has been stipulated inall Constitutions of the country, including the draft amendments to the1992 Constitution.

He said he is convinced thatCatholic dignitaries and followers will uphold religious values andcitizens’ responsibilities, contributing to building a country of peace,independence, unification and territorial integrity.

As the Christmas season is coming, Chairman Hung extend greetings toall Catholic bishops, priests and followers nationwide.

The VCCS delegation expressed wishes for further support by theVietnam Fatherland Front and authorities at all levels, thus making iteasier for them to expand social and charitable activities to more areasand contribute more to the nation.

They informedthe NA leader that the two-day congress re-elected priest Nguyen CongDanh as VCCS President for the 2013-2018 tenure.

Participantsalso issued a letter calling on Vietnamese Catholic community tocontinue the tradition of solidarity and engaging in national patrioticmovements in the coming time.-VNA