Vatican delegation to visit in June

A delegation of the Holy See will visit Vietnam from June 9-15, according to Eglises d'Asie, citing a source in Rome. The main item for discussion will likely be the appointment and replacement of bishops, with two dioceses vacant of a bishop (Bac Ninh and Phat Diem) and others with bishops that have reached their age of retirement, such as Thai Binh and Ban Me Thuot.

Other possible items for discussion will include the restoration of church property, expanding the social role of the church, some particular cases of human rights (imprisoned priests such as Fr. Ly?), and the possibility of formal diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Vatican.

The visit had been scheduled for March but was delayed by the religious demonstrations which had begun in Hanoi last December.

Source: Eglises d'Asie, No. 485, May 16, 2008.