Provincial leaders congratulate new Bishop of Vinh Diocese

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

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy and the new Bishop of Vinh Diocese Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long exchanged views on the occasion of the delegation's congratulatory visit. Photo: Thanh Duy

The inauguration mass of Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long as Bishop of Vinh Diocese will be celebrated on the morning of February 12 at Xa Doai Cathedral, Nghi Loc district, Nghe An province.

Presenting a flower basket from the Provincial Party Committee, People's Council, People's Committee, and 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 successfully fulfilling the responsibility entrusted by God and the Church.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy wished Vinh Diocese under the leadership of Bishop Alphonsus Nguyen Huu Long to have more good achievements, bring a peaceful and happy life to the parishioners, and make worthy contributions to the cause of building and developing Nghe An province in particular and the country in general.

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

Comrade Thai Thanh Quy also suggested that the new Bishop of Vinh Diocese, with his responsibility and prestige, will lead the dignitaries and parishioners to continue to carry out the Pope's teachings: "A good Catholic is also a good citizen" and the direction "Living the gospel in the heart of the nation to serve the happiness of compatriots", building national solidarity, attachment, and joining hands to build a strong homeland and country.

In particular, Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy proposed close coordination between the diocese and the provincial government to resolve and handle related issues in accordance with the law, ensuring both reason and emotion.

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy congratulated 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 Vinh Diocese and the Bishop personally; at the same time, he expressed his thanks to the authorities from the central to local levels for accepting the Holy See's request for the Bishop to return to carry out his mission in Vinh Diocese.

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

Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Thai Thanh Quy visited and talked with nuns at the Vinh Diocese Bishop's Palace. Photo: Thanh Duy

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

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

Thanh Duy