2009-06-27 15:56:01 -

VATICAN CITY (AP) - Pope Benedict XVI said Saturday that a «healthy collaboration» is possible between the Roman Catholic Church and Vietnam's government, with whom the Vatican is working to re-establish ties.
The communist government cut off ties with the Vatican after taking power in 1954. Tensions have existed for years between the country's 6 million Catholics and the government, which closely monitors religious groups and insists on approving most church appointments.
Relations with the Holy See have recently begun to thaw and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung became the highest official from the country to meet the pope when he visited the Vatican in 2007.
Addressing bishops visiting from the Southeast Asian country, Benedict said the church and the faithful can work «loyally» to create a «just, united and fair society.
«A healthy collaboration between the church and the political community is possible,» Benedict said in French.

The church «does not seek in any way to substitute itself to those responsible for governing, but only wishes, in a spirit of dialogue and respectful collaboration, to take its just role in the life of the nation, at the service of all the people,» he said.
Earlier this year, a top Vatican envoy said long-stalled talks to restore diplomatic relations with Vietnam were making progress.