Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung praised the appointment of Archbishop Jean-Baptiste Pham Minh Man as cardinal. He was one of 31 new cardinals named Sunday by John Paul II last.
Earlier, several media reports said the government rejected the appointment because it was decided by the Vatican without Hanoi’s approval.
Archbishop Man denied the reports Wednesday after a meeting with the Government Committee on Religion. The Foreign Ministry said Hanoi-Vatican relations are showing progress.
