Vietnamese government returns nunciature 'out of respect for the Pope'

The Government of Vietnam has returned the building for the use of the Archdiocese. The faithful have been gathering in prayer and peaceful protest.

HANOI (CNA) - Following years of efforts and prayers, Catholics in Hanoi have agreed to stop protesting as the Vietnamese government says it will return the former nunciature to the Archdiocese of Hanoi.

Just yesterday, the Vatican's Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, released a letter that he sent to the Archbishop of Hanoi expressing the Vatican's support for the Catholics' efforts.

Within hours of the publication of the cardinal's letter, a Church source in Hanoi informed CNA that the Vietnamese government, as an expression of "goodwill and the respect for the Holy Father" is giving the right to use the building back to the Archdiocese.

In addition, having received news of the letter from Cardinal Bertone, local Catholics have agreed not to hold any protests that might provoke violence "out of obedience to the Holy Father", said a Church source.

The largest protest to date was planned for the upcoming Lunar new year celebration on February 6, but it has been put on hold as the details of the agreement are hammered out.

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