ASIA/TAIWAN - "A new era of evangelization begins, we put out into the deep, we become the hands and feet of Christ," says Bishop of Tai Chung at the close of 150th anniversary of evangelization in Taiwan

Tai Chung (Agenzia Fides) - “In the year of grace” in which we recall the 150th anniversary of the evangelization of the island of Taiwan, “how can we forget and not thank foreign missionaries, especially the first [who arrived] ... for their complete devotion and love which is engraved in our hearts.” This is a reminder for us to "put out into the deep and become the hands and feet of Christ." With these words, Archbishop Martin Su Yao Wen of the Diocese of Tai Chung, expressed his feelings at the close of the celebrations for the 150th anniversary of evangelization in Taiwan.
In view of this important jubilee celebration to be held Saturday, November 21, chaired by the Special Envoy of the Pope, Cardinal Jozef Tomko, the weekly newsletter of the Archdiocese of Tai Pei has presented a series of articles by Bishops from the Dioceses in Taiwan. The Bishop of Tai Chung retraced the history of evangelization began back in 1875 with the Dominican missionaries. "In comparison to 2000 years of Church history, our course of 150 years is very short, confirming that we are still a young Church. But at the same time is also a reminder of our responsibility to carry out a continuous evangelization, to bring the Gospel and love of Christ to all of Taiwan.” The Bishop adds: "I think the closing celebration is really the beginning of a new era of evangelization, because we put out into the deep and become the hands and feet of Christ." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 18/11/2009)