Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Ha Noi, April 4 (VNA) -- Southern Viet Nam Protestant General Council Chief, Pastor Pham Xuan Thieu has said he sees no reason why not to believe in the Government's respect of religious freedom and worship of the people.

"Since its inception, the Vietnamese State has always followed the policy of respecting religious freedom and worship of the people," Pastor Thieu said in an interview with Nhan Dan newspaper in connection with the Government's recent recognition of the legal status of the southern Viet Nam Protestant Church.

The Government as well as the local administration at all levels have over recent years paid special attention to and created every favourable condition for our religious activities, and so our protestant church has been developing with an increasing number of believers and churches.

"We all were very happy for being informed on March 16 of the Prime Minister's recognition of our religion's legal status so that now we, the southern Viet Nam Protestant Church, can live the Gospel amidst the nation."

"For the time being, we will set up our representative boards in cities and provinces to accelerate religious activities in these localities, build more churches and worship places in regions with a large number of believers, and open more religious courses for local protestants," Thieu said.

"Each of us must be a useful citizen of Viet Nam and has to make his/her active contribution to building a prosperous and beautiful Viet Nam. We must show our respect for the God through our practical deeds towards the community and society," Pastor Pham Xuan Thieu reaffirmed.--VNA