Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - “With Migrants and Refugees Sunday, the Church of Taiwan assures immigrants of her determined desire to share in their joys and sufferings." Thus, Bishop Bosco Lin Chi Nan, Bishop of the Diocese of Tainan and chairman of the Pastoral Commission for Migrants and Itinerant People of the Taiwan Regional Bishops' Conference, confirmed the support and solidarity of the Church towards immigrants on the island. Following the main theme indicated by the Holy Father Benedict XVI for the World Day of Migrants and Refugees 2010 – “Minor Migrants and Refugees" - Bishop Lin stressed that they are the most defenseless of civil society. He then invited everyone - communities, authorities, companies, corporations and individuals of Taiwan "to respect the human rights of migrants, especially since thanks to them, Taiwanese society has received so many benefits.” Finally, the Bishop of Tainan urged all to follow the Pope's teaching contained in the message for the Day: “I warmly hope that proper attention will be given to minor migrants who need a social environment that permits and fosters their physical, cultural, spiritual and moral development.”
According to information received by Fides, on Sunday, September 26 all the parishes and ecclesial base communities in Taiwan celebrated Migrants and Refugees Sunday with various initiatives, together with immigrants. Also 70% of the funds collected on this occasion will go to support the pastoral initiatives for immigrants, while the remaining 30% has been sent to the Regional Episcopal Conference of Taiwan, for the fund of the Commission for Migrants and Itinerant People. Since 1997, the Regional Episcopal Conference of Taiwan has chosen the last Sunday of September every year to be dedicated to immigrants and refugees. This year, the local Church has appealed to all the faithful, "the pastoral care of immigrants implies each of you." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 02/10/2010)
