ASIA/TAIWAN - "A great family of humanity" the 15th Day of the Migrants was celebrated

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - "A great family of humanity" was the theme of the 15th Day of the Migrants which was celebrated on the last Sunday of September in Taiwan, according to the directions of the Pastoral Care Commission of Migrants and Itinerants of Taiwan led by His Exc. Mgr. Lin Bosco, Bishop of the Diocese of Tai Nan. According to information Fides received, for this occasion Mgr.Lin also published a message dedicated to the Day , underlining the "strong commitment of the Church in Taiwan for the pastoral care of migrants and all the itinerant people of the island". He also emphasized "the economic, cultural and religious contribution offered to society and to the Church in Taiwan by migrant workers, immigrants and people of the sea". At the same time he stressed that the Commission "is deeply aware of the problems and challenges that our immigrant brothers and sisters face every day in their daily lives". "We offer our help and our collaboration - writes Mgr. Lin - to build in Taiwan a better place where the great family of mankind can live". Another challenge which was highlighted by the Commission regards the cooperation with other religions and help to the homeless: "according to the survey of the Church there are over 8,000 homeless who need our love and our pastoral care". Thanks also to the Apostleship of the Sea of Taiwan, "the Church in Taiwan is ready to begin systematic pastoral care for the sailors, invoking the accompaniment of Maria Stella Maris". Since 1997 the Regional Episcopal Conference of Taiwan wanted the last Sunday of September every year to be dedicated to migrants and refugees. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 04/10/2011)