A reception was staged May 11 at the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See for the seven bishops from Taiwan making the country’s first ad limina visit to the diplomatic ally in 10 years.
Hosted by Ambassador Matthew S. M. Lee, the event was attended by—in terms of seniority—Taipei Archbishop Hung Shan-chuan and Kaohsiung Archbishop Liu Cheng-chung, as well as Tainan Bishop Lin Chi-nan, Hualien Bishop Huang Chao-ming, Taichung Bishop Su Yao-wen, Hsinchu Bishop Li Keh-mien and Chiayi Bishop Chung An-chu.
Other participants included Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, secretary for relations with states and head of the Second Section of the Holy See’s Secretariat of State, as well as cardinals, priests and other Vatican officials.
During reception remarks, Lee praised the delegation and said the Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference of Taiwan—the highest organ of the Roman Catholic Church in Greater China—has cemented bilateral relations through promoting cooperation and exchanges.
Echoing Lee’s sentiments, Hung said he would invite Pope Francis to visit Taiwan during an audience with the pontiff May 14, and that the most suitable occasion would be the national Eucharistic Congress scheduled for next March.
In response, Gallagher said the delegation’s visit will strengthen the bonds of friendship between Taiwan and the Holy See. He also thanked the government and people of Taiwan for generously contributing to international relief efforts.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the two sides share a firm relationship since establishing official ties 76 years ago. Exchanges are expanding and going from strength to strength, with cooperation spanning a variety of areas like culture, education and humanitarian aid.
Examples in this regard include the hosting of the World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea last October in Kaohsiung City, southern Taiwan, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on strengthening cooperation in combating money laundering, terrorism financing and associated offenses in May the same year. (SFC-E)
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