ASIA/TAIWAN - Solemn commemoration of 49 years of evangelization in indigenous zone of A Li Shan affected by flooding in August; 7 new chapels opened

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) – "The earthquake destroyed our home and the beautiful landscape of the mountain and river of the tribal peoples, but not our faith. With this solid faith and trust in God, trust in the intercession of the Virgin Mary, all of us, priests and faithful of the diocese, set out once more and leave the period of calamity beginning with this first Mass after the floods last August.” These are the touching words of Bishop Chung An Zhu, Bishop of the Diocese of Cha Yi, spoken in the area that was hit hard by flooding last summer.
Today, finally, this diocesan community, composed of a large number of indigenous faithful, was able to celebrate the commemoration of 49 years of evangelization in the area of A Li Shan (indigenous zone of the mountain) with a solemn celebration of the Eucharist and inauguration of 7 new chapels, one for each of the 7 local tribal groups. Bishop Chung also blessed the new temporary shelters for people affected by this disaster, in the presence of 200 faithful and representatives of each tribe. Finally, Bishop Chung brought the love of the Catholic community by visiting the shelter being provided for all those who have lost all their belongings after the flood. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 13/11/2009)