Provincial leaders congratulate the new Bishop of the Vinh Diocese.

Accompanying him were Colonel Nguyen Huu Cau - Member of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee, Director of the Provincial Police; representatives from the Provincial Party Committee's Mass Mobilization Department, the Provincial People's Committee Office, the Provincial Religious Affairs Department, and the Provincial Fatherland Front Committee.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Thanh Quy province and the newly appointed Bishop of Vinh Diocese, Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, exchanged greetings during the delegation's congratulatory visit. Photo: Thanh Duy

The installation ceremony of Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long as Bishop of the Vinh Diocese will be held on the morning of February 12th at the Xa Doai Cathedral, Nghi Loc District, Nghe An Province.

Presenting a flower basket from the Provincial Party Committee, Provincial People's Council, Provincial People's Committee, and Provincial Fatherland Front Committee of Nghe An province to Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy congratulated the new Bishop of Vinh Diocese on fulfilling the important responsibilities entrusted to him by God and the Church.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Nghe An province, Thai Thanh Quy, wished the Vinh Diocese, under the leadership of Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, many more achievements, bringing peace and happiness to the Catholic community, and making worthy contributions to the construction and development of Nghe An province in particular and the country in general.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Thanh Quy province and the provincial delegation presented flowers to congratulate the new Bishop of Vinh Diocese, Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long. Photo: Thanh Duy

The Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the provincial leadership and all levels and sectors of the province will continue to best implement the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws on religious affairs, and create favorable conditions for the activities of the Vinh Diocese in accordance with the law.

Comrade Thai Thanh Quy also requested that the new Bishop of the Vinh Diocese, with his responsibilities and prestige, lead the clergy and parishioners to continue to effectively implement the Pope's teaching: "A good Catholic is also a good citizen" and the guiding principle of "Living the Gospel in the heart of the nation to serve the happiness of our compatriots," building national unity and solidarity, and working together to build a prosperous and strong homeland.

In particular, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy suggested close cooperation between the diocese and the provincial government to resolve and handle related issues in accordance with the law, ensuring a balance between compassion and reason.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Thanh Quy Province congratulates the new Bishop of Vinh Diocese, Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long. Photo: Thanh Duy

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long was very honored and delighted to welcome the provincial government delegation to visit and congratulate the Vinh Diocese and the Bishop personally; he also expressed his gratitude to the authorities at all levels, from the central to the local level, for approving the Holy See's request for the Bishop to carry out his mission in the Vinh Diocese.

The new Bishop of the Vinh Diocese also affirmed that he will continue to build good relationships with the government, between Catholics and non-Catholics, and together unite to contribute to building a more prosperous and beautiful Nghe An province in particular and the country in general.

Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Thanh Quy Province visits and converses with nuns at the Bishop's Residence of the Vinh Diocese. Photo: Thanh Duy.

Previously, on December 22, 2018, the Vatican announced that Pope Francis had appointed Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, Auxiliary Bishop of the Hung Hoa Diocese, as Bishop of the Vinh Diocese.

At the same time, the Pope also established the Diocese of Ha Tinh, separating it from the Diocese of Vinh, and appointed Bishop Paul Nguyen Thai Hop of the Diocese of Vinh as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Ha Tinh.