Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Hsin Chu (Fides Service) - Sister Ellerik Rozalia, FMM, a 99-year old Polish-born Australian missionary, has dedicated her life to the mission in China, first in mainland and in Macao, and then, for almost half a century, in Taiwan, spending more than twenty years in the diocese of Hsin Chu. Affected by a stroke, she is hospitalized in the local hospital, where she received the visit from the Mayor of the city of Hsin Chu. According to information gathered by Fides, in addition to the immense gratitude of the citizens for this "Hsinchunese and Taiwanese", the Mayor gave the religious woman a card that will allow her to use and take advantage of all public services for the elderly. As a matter of fact, in Taiwan, foreign missionaries cannot obtain the Taiwanese nationality, but they are only given residence permit. Consequently they cannot take advantage of social services just like other citizens, even if, like Sister Ellerik, they have dedicated their lives to the mission on the island. Many hope that this gesture of kindness and gratitude on behalf of the Mayor of Hsin Chu is a good start toward a definitive solution to this situation. Sister Ellerik Rozalia, of the Franciscan Missionaries of Mary (FMM) was born in 1913 and has always worked in the field of education. When she was moved to Taiwan in 1959, she contributed to the construction of the college to house the youth of the Catholic University of Fu Jen. Before the stroke hit her, despite her age, she was still working in the missionary community of the FMM of Hsin Chu. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 07/14/2011)
