ASIA/TAIWAN - “The Taiwan Story: The Second Wave of Evangelization”

Rome (Agenzia Fides) - “The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (formerly known as 'Propaganda Fide') and the Evangelization of Taiwan,” “Historical, Political, and Missionary Context of the Second Period of the Catholic Evangelization in Taiwan,” “Doing Mission in Taiwan: The Experience of the Divine Word Missionaries,” “The Ursuline Sisters' Mission Experience in Taiwan”... These were some of the themes addressed by speakers in the Conference entitled: “The Taiwan Story: The Second Wave of Evangelization” which was held on the afternoon of October 12, in the Aula Minor of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas (Angelicum) in Rome. Among those present was Mr. Wang Larry Yu-yuan, Ambassador of the Chinese Republic to the Holy See; Monsignor M. Sanchez de Toca, Undersecretary of the Pontifical Council for Culture, in representation of the President of the same Council, Archbishop Gianfranco Ravasi who was away for the Synod for Africa; Fr. Charles Morerod, OP, Rector of the Angelicum; Monsignor Lluis Clavell; groups of Dominican missionaries and others who have worked and continue working in Taiwan, as laity and Taiwanese students who live or study in Rome.
The conference was the result of a joint effort between the Embassy of the Chinese Republic to the Holy See and the Dominican university, in honor of the 150th anniversary of the introduction of Catholicism into Taiwan. The Dominicans were the protagonists and promoters of the evangelization of Taiwan and their missionary journey on the island coincides with the story of Taiwan's evangelization, with numerous brilliant figures from among the Dominicans, who dedicated their lives to the people of the island. The conference was also attended by many religious who work in pastoral ministry with Chinese-speaking communities, who shared their most impressive experiences concerning the work of evangelization in Taiwan.
Monsignor Lluis Clavell's address on “The Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples (formerly known as 'Propaganda Fide') and the Evangelization of Taiwan,” was of particular interest. The speaker described how at the end of the 17th Century, “China's importance was so much that a Particular Congregation was created within the same Dicastery, entrusted with the responsibility of dealing with its problems in an independent manner.” He also recalled that “although the beginning of Catholicism in Taiwan goes back to the year 1626, through the work of Fr. Bartolome Martinez and five other Dominicans, the Missionary Dicastery began to get involved in the missions in China from the 11th of November 1625.” In addition to the many difficulties, Msgr. Clavell also noted the most important moments in the relationship between the Congregation of 'Propaganda Fide' and Taiwan, concluding on a hopeful note: “Finally, we can say that after centuries of evangelical labor, there are signs of acquired maturity in the faith, which lead to a promising future.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 13/10/2009)