Nghe An Provincial Leaders Congratulate Vinh Diocese on Christmas

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long - Bishop of Vinh Diocese welcomed provincial leaders to visit and congratulate them on the occasion of Christmas 2022. Photo: Thanh Duy

Leaders of Nghe An province celebrate Christmas at the Vinh Diocese Bishop's Palace. Photo: Thanh Duy

In the joyful atmosphere of Christmas 2022, on behalf of the provincial leaders, Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy respectfully sends to Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien and priests, religious, and all Catholics in the province the best wishes for a warm, peaceful, happy Christmas filled with God's grace.

In a friendly atmosphere, the Provincial Party Secretary informed about the province's socio-economic results in 2022. Accordingly, despite many difficulties and challenges, with the determination and great efforts of the political system and people, Nghe An has done well in the prevention and control of the Covid-19 pandemic, the socio-economy has achieved many important results, achieving 27/28 targets.

Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy congratulated Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, bishops, priests, religious and Catholics in the province on Christmas 2022 and New Year 2023. Photo: Thanh Duy

Nghe An's economy has recovered and developed comprehensively in all sectors and fields, with many indicators setting new development milestones. The growth rate of the province's gross regional domestic product (GRDP) is estimated at 9.08%. Total export turnover is estimated at 2.49 billion USD, the second consecutive year exceeding the export target for the 2020-2025 term.

State budget revenue for the first year exceeded the 20,000 billion VND mark, estimated at 20,370 billion VND. This is also the first year Nghe An has entered the top 10 localities attracting the largest FDI in the country, with a total newly granted and adjusted capital reaching nearly 1 billion USD.

Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien - Auxiliary Bishop of Vinh Diocese and priests attended the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

The fields of culture - society, ensuring social security continue to receive attention and direction and achieve positive results. In particular, the quality of comprehensive education has made remarkable progress, the results of the High School Graduation Exam for the 2021 - 2022 school year increased by 14 places, ranking 20th out of 63 provinces and cities.

Key education continues to maintain its top position (5th) nationwide in terms of national, regional, and international student achievements and competitions. In addition, political security and social order and safety are ensured. Foreign affairs are strengthened and expanded.

Priests attending the meeting. Photo: Thanh Duy

Provincial Party Secretary Thai Thanh Quy respectfully thanked Bishop Alphonse Nguyen Huu Long, Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien and priests, monks, dignitaries and officials who were very responsible, regularly reminded and encouraged believers; as well as nearly 300,000 Catholics who contributed to the socio-economic development process, ensuring national defense and security of the province.

In particular, people have actively participated in and supported socio-economic development programs and projects, especially the North-South Expressway Project through Nghe An, the coastal road project and many other key projects.

The Secretary of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee expressed his joy when Catholics actively participated in social security, humanitarian and charity movements; built cultural life in residential areas, new rural areas, and peaceful Catholic hamlets, thereby leaving behind many beautiful and emotional images.

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long expressed his thanks to Nghe An province leaders for their Christmas greetings. Photo: Thanh Duy

In addition, Catholics have actively participated in the socio-economic development movement with many effective models in various fields, contributing to the rapid reduction of poor households and the increase of well-off and rich households. Currently, among Catholics in the province, the rate of well-off and rich households is 55%.

The awareness of law compliance of religious activities in the area is increasingly better, creating a favorable space and environment to ensure good security and order.

Provincial leaders presented flowers to celebrate Christmas 2022 at the Vinh Diocese Bishop's Palace. Photo: Thanh Duy

Preparing to enter 2023, the Provincial Party Secretary emphasized that the province really hopes that the Vinh Diocese, Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long, Bishop Peter Nguyen Van Vien, priests, monks, and the community of believers will continue to care for and guide Catholics to promote the tradition of patriotism and build a good life and a beautiful religion.

Continue to well implement the Party's guidelines, policies and laws of the State; participate in supporting socio-economic development programs and tasks implemented by the province; at the same time participate in patriotic movements to contribute to building Nghe An to develop strongly in economy, firmly in national defense and security; the lives of the people, including Catholics, are increasingly prosperous and happy.

Provincial leaders presented gifts to celebrate Christmas 2022 at the Vinh Diocese Bishop's Palace. Photo: Thanh Duy

The head of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee also hopes and believes that in the coming time, the province will continue to receive the coordination and support of the Vinh Diocese Bishop's Office in resolving religious issues, ensuring timeliness, compliance with legal regulations, reason and emotion; at the same time, continue to enhance mutual understanding and trust, build relationships between the Bishop's Office and the government, between dignitaries, officials and officials at all levels and sectors increasingly deeper to better serve the people in the province, including Catholics.

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long - Bishop of Vinh Diocese presents souvenirs to leaders of Nghe An province. Photo: Thanh Duy

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long - Bishop of Vinh Diocese congratulated the important achievements of the province in 2022; at the same time expressed his joy and sincere thanks that during the year, the provincial authorities at all levels continued to pay great attention and strive to find ways to solve the legitimate needs of Catholics, thereby multiplying the joy in the Diocese.

Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long affirmed that the Vinh Diocese and Catholics will continue to participate and coordinate with the government and people in the province to contribute to the development of the country in general and the province in particular, bringing better results to social life as well as personal life; at the same time, responding to the government leaders' attention to religious issues in the Vinh Diocese.