Pope Francis’ appointment of Cardinal Fernando Filoni as his special envoy to the upcoming Eucharistic Congress of Taiwan was welcomed Jan. 7 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The appointment of Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, underscores the strong and friendly ties between Taiwan and diplomatic ally the Holy See, according to the MOFA.
Taiwan is committed to further deepening these robust bilateral relations, the ministry said, adding that as an indispensable partner in the global community, the country will continue working with the Vatican to champion religious freedom and promote benevolence and peace around the world.
During a papal audience in May last year, a delegation of seven Taiwan bishops, making the country’s first ad limina visit in 10 years, invited the pontiff to attend the congress. Organized by the Diocese of Chiayi, the event is scheduled for March 1 in western Taiwan’s Yunlin County.
Filoni, who has served in his position in the Curia since May 2011, is a supporter of the development of the Catholic Church in Taiwan, the MOFA said.
The national Eucharistic Congress is one of the most important events for Christians in Taiwan. The three previous editions took place in New Taipei City in 2011, the northern metropolis of Taoyuan in 2014 and central Taiwan’s Changhua County in 2016, with the latter attended by Cardinal Giuseppe Versaldi, prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, as a special envoy of Pope Francis.
Taiwan and the Holy See have maintained robust relations since establishing official ties in 1942, the MOFA said, adding that cooperation and exchanges are going from strength to strength across such areas as culture, education and humanitarian aid.
Recent examples in this regard include the hosting of the World Congress of the Apostleship of the Sea in October 2017 in the southern city of Kaohsiung, and the signing of a memorandum of understanding on enhancing collaboration in combating money laundering, terrorism financing and associated offenses in May the same year. (SFC-E)
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