Seven bishops from Taiwan are making the country’s first ad limina visit to diplomatic ally the Holy See in 10 years, according to Taipei City-based Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference May 11.
The delegation comprises, 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.
During the May 8-15 trip, the bishops will meet with Pope Francis to discuss developments in their dioceses. They plan to present him with a locally produced porcelain based on an artwork by Giuseppe Castiglione, an Italian missionary who served as a court painter during the Qing dynasty (1644-1911), and a painting by Taiwan artist Shen Chen.
Matthew S. M. Lee, ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to the Holy See, said the visit reflects the strength of bilateral relations spanning 76 years. Exchanges are expanding and going from strength to strength, with the two sides cooperating in a variety of areas like culture, education and humanitarian aid, he said.
As well as sending senior officials to visit Taiwan over the past year, the pope also prayed for the people following a recent natural disaster, Lee added.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other examples of close Taiwan-Vatican cooperation 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)
Write to Taiwan Today at ttonline@mofa.gov.tw