Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father received His Excellency Mister Wang Larry Yu-yuan, the new Ambassador of the Republic of China to the Holy See, in an audience on Saturday, November 8, in which he accepted his Letters of Accreditation. In his address, the Pope welcomed the Ambassador, as he begins his mission, and thanked him for the greetings he had brought on behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou. “Please convey to him my cordial good wishes on his recent election, as well as the assurance of my prayers for him, the first Catholic to be elected President of the Republic, and for all the people in Taiwan,” the Pope said.
After recalling the “keen sense of belonging to a world community, a global human family” maintained by the government in Taipei, expressed in many ways, not least in the generosity with which aid and emergency relief is supplied to poorer nations, the Pope affirmed that in this manner, the country “makes a valuable contribution to the building of a more secure and stable world.” He added: “The Holy See is pleased to work together with all those who seek to promote peace, prosperity and development, and appreciates the Republic of China’s commitment to that noble cause.” And he continued, saying: “Although Catholics in the Republic of China represent little more than one per cent of the population, they are eager to play their part in building up a society that is humane, just, and marked by genuine concern for the welfare of the weaker members of the community. It is part of the Church’s mission to share her "expertise in humanity" with all people of good will in order to contribute to the well-being of the human family. Characteristically, it is in the fields of education, healthcare and charitable assistance that she offers this contribution. Your Government’s firm commitment to freedom of religion has made it possible for the Church to carry out her mission of love and service, and to express herself openly through worship and the proclamation of the Gospel. On behalf of all the Catholics in Taiwan, I would like to express my appreciation of this freedom that the Church enjoys.”
Benedict XVI then mentioned that the ground of the Asian populations is particullarly fertile, “for interreligious dialogue to take root and grow,” and mentioned the importance, in today's world, “for different peoples to be able to listen to one another in an atmosphere of respect and dignity, conscious that their shared humanity is a bond far deeper than the cultural variations that seem to divide them!”
“Frank and constructive dialogue,” said Benedict XVI, “is also the key to the resolution of the conflicts that threaten the stability of our world. In this regard, the Holy See welcomes the recent positive developments in relations between Taiwan and mainland China. Indeed the Catholic Church is eager to promote peaceful solutions to disputes of whatever kind, 'giving attention and encouragement to even the faintest sign of dialogue or desire for reconciliation.' In this way, she wishes to support the efforts of Governments to become 'staunch champions of human dignity and courageous builders of peace.'” (SL) (Agenzia Fides 10/11/2008)
