Not China

Interesting news out of Viet Nam: The Holy See and Viet Nam are continuing their dialogue toward establishing diplomatic relations. Yes, that is correct--Viet Nam, not China in the news this time with the words "Vatican" and "diplomatic". Likely not many people realize that Viet Nam also still does not have diplomatic relations with the Vatican. Or that many church properties siezed by the Communists still have not been returned to the Church. Unlike in China where there are established procedures for petitioning the government for the return of church property (pursued successfully in Shanghai, somewhat successfully in Guangzhou, not that successfully in other areas--it isn't perfect, but at least there is some recognition by the government that church property belongs to the Church), this is a very contentious issue between the Vatican and the Vietnamese government. The subject of appointment of bishops, a big issue in China, operates still under a compromise between Rome and Viet Nam.

If you google "vatican diplomatic relations vietnam" you will get hundreds of news hits, some of them years old. It is a process, like the dialogue with China, that does not move quickly. I've blogged here and there about Viet Nam compared to China--the Catholic Church, people's perceptions and the like. I'm no expert, so they are mostly just observations. Better yet is Adam's post from last summer about the Church in Viet Nam.