Taiwanese delegation arriving for Benedict XVI's mass
Vatican City (AsiaNews) The Republic of China (Taiwan) is sending a delegation to the mass inaugurating Benedict XVI's pontificate.
AsiaNews sources said that the Taiwanese delegation will include the Interior Minister Su Jiachyuan, Deputy Foreign Minister Ouyang Jiahsiung and Taiwan's Ambassador to the Holy See Chou-seng Tou, with the first two arriving tomorrow April 23 and return home on April 26.
Speaking about Benedict XVI's election, Mr Chou-seng said: "I had the opportunity of meeting the new Pope when he was Prefect of the Doctrine of the Faith. My impression is that he is someone who listens to his interlocutors; he is very interested in understanding the point of view of the people who are talking to him. I am certain he is going to be a great Pope."
"I have also had an opportunity to talk to him about the life of the Church in Taiwan and China. I am certain he will find the way to defend the rights of the Church and open up the People's Republic to evangelisation," he added.
"When I met him he asked me many things about issues that concern China on either side of the strait of Taiwan. And he told me of his hopes that a closer relationship between Taiwan and China might help the Chinese people to achieve full religious freedom".
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14/04/2005
