Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Chia Yi (Agenzia Fides) – After four years, the Diocese of Chia Yi, on the island of Taiwan, is finally preparing to welcome a new priest. The diocese has enthusiastically announced the event to all, calling for everyone to participate actively in the priestly ordination of Deacon Cao Bo Rui, which will take place Saturday, April 24, the eve of the World Day of Prayer for Vocations in this Year for Priests. According to information received by Fides, the last ordination in the diocese took place on May 31, 2006, which why it makes it easier to understand the joy of the local ecclesial community and the intense preparation that is taking place at all levels of the diocese for the occasion.
The Deacon Bo Cao Rui was born in 1973 into a very devout Catholic family, natives of the same Diocese of Chia Yi. After earning a degree in Spanish Language in 2000, he answered the call of the Lord, entering Society of the Divine Word for priestly formation in 2001. He first studied philosophy at the Regional Seminary in Taiwan and then theology at Fu Ren Catholic University, from 2003 to 2006. After careful consideration, he decided to return to his diocese of origin, accepted by the diocesan Bishop Thomas Chung in 2008. After a pastoral internship and experience in the local Catholic parish, he was ordained a deacon on August 30, 2009 by the Bishop himself.
According to the latest statistics of the Taiwan Catholic Church Directory 2010, the Diocese of Chia Yi consists of 11,701 faithful, 1 bishop, 51 priests with the newly ordained, 54 religious sisters, and 3 catechists. It is divided into 7 deaneries, 31 parishes, and 34 mission stations. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 23/04/2010)
