Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) – Two weeks of “spiritual recharge” for priests in Taiwan were held recently at the Regional Seminary, organized by the Commission for the Clergy of the Taiwan Regional Bishops' Conference, coordinated by Monsignor J.B. Lee. During the course, 49 priests from the 7 dioceses and from the religious congregations on the island heard talks given by Fr. Paul Preaux, a French priest from the “Sanctuaire de Notre Dame de Montligeon,” and participated in a seminar led by Fr. Fran Ois Regis, sharing a life of community. According to information sent to Agenzia Fides, “the teachings on the priesthood from the Sacred Scripture and the Magisterium of the Church” were the main theme, chosen in honor of the Year for Priests, and was subdivided into four parts: the foundations of the Sacrament of Holy Orders; the triple ministry (to sanctify, teach, and govern); the source of priestly holiness in the Sacrament of Holy Orders (poverty, chastity, and obedience); the relationship of the priest with the Bishop, with his brother priests, with the lay faithful, and with the world.
The Course took place at the Regional Major Seminary, in a family atmosphere. According to Monsignor J.B. Lee, President of the Commission for the Clergy, the participation of priests with less than 10 years' of priesthood was obligatory. Among the 49 priests who participated, 43 were diocesan and 6 were religious; 13 were of Vietnamese origin; 12 Korean; 17 from other nationalities; 7 were natives of the area. Three of them were from the Archdiocese of Tai Pei, 5 from Hsin Chu, 3 from Tai Chung, 6 from Chia Yi, 1 from Tai Nan, 7 from Kao Hsiung (5 of whom were from the Neo-Catechumenal Way) and 7 from Hua Lien. In the address given at the close of the course, Monsignor Lee highlighted the urgent need for local vocational formation, encouraging new priests, after this spiritual recharge, to “put out into the deep.” (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 17/09/2009)
