One step closer

The Vatican undersecretary for Relations with States, Monsignor Pietro Parolin returned this week from a three-day meeting with high ranking officials in Vietnam, including Foreign Minister Pham Gia Kiem. The purpose of this meeting was to continue the process of negotiations toward the eventual establishment of diplomatic relations between the Vatican and Vietnam. There is still lots of work to do on that front, but at least there is an agreement now that discussions from this point onward will be frank, open and constructive.

Catholics in Vietnam only count for about 7% of the total population but Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung did visit the pope in the Vatican in January 2007, so there is at least a glimmer of hope on the horizon. Establishing diplomatic relations is a long and tedious process, and it often takes many years of vigilence and fine tuning.

This meeting is part of the ongoing efforts by the Vatican to strengthen relations with countries where there are only limited agreements and to attempt collaboration with those who progress in good will toward the possibility of lasting peace for the good of all people.

Knowing at least the highlights of some of the behind-the-scenes work that continues at the Vatican can help those of us who struggle at times to keep the peace within our own little worlds to appreciate the delicate balance that must be maintained especially when relations on the world stage are still at the very fledgling stages.

Considering the potential outcome of botched diplomatic negotiations, one wonders whether some nuclear families, people in the business world and those who fight for the rights of workers would not do well to practice the finer points of this balet. Of course, the same lessons also apply to the world of establishing and maintaining friendships and acquaintances.