HCM City (VNA) – The Evangelical Church of Vietnam (south) on July 18 opened itsfifth congress in Ho Chi Minh City.
The event,running to July 21, is the Church’s biggest activity held every four years,attracting over 3,000 delegates from 34 southern provinces and cities.Representatives from State agencies and local authorities also attended.
Thecongress will review the church’s operation in 2013-2017, elect a new executivecouncil for the 2017-2021 tenure and discuss amendments to the Church’s charter.
Speakingat the event, deputy head of the Government’sCommittee for Religious Affairs Tran Tan Hung praised the active participationof the Church’s dignities and followers in socio-economic development andhumanitarian activities, thus contributing to national construction and defence.
He reiterated that the State pursuesthe policy of respecting and ensuring the right to religious and belief freedomas well as encouraging progressive religious activities.
Hung said the Committee appreciated theamendments to the Church’s charter and expressed his hope that delegates will contributeconstructive ideas in order to promote values of the Church and ensure theprinciple of law adherence and harmony with other religions. -VNA