Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Taipei (Fides Service) – “The lesson we learn from this sudden phenomenon of SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) is that we must look at people beyond their religious, cultural or social group and see the dignity of divine creature which belongs to every individual, and hasten to treat each other as brothers and sisters”. This is the opinion voiced by Father Lorenzo Fornari OFM, a missionary in Taiwan for 32 years and also national director of the Pontifical Mission Societies on the island.
Father Fornaro told Fides Service that the local Church is careful to follow all the precautions advised to prevent the virus from spreading. “We do not hold large assemblies, people meet to pray in small groups, often only as families. However I must say that SARS has given rise to a spiritual reawakening among the local Catholics. Prayer is deeper, there is a greater effort for conversion of heart, people pray the rosary continually and many make acts of penance. Christians take trustful refuge in the hands of God”.
In the meantime not lacking are gestures of solidarity with those in quarantine, medical, staff, patients and their relations: “There is a spirit of solidarity, absolutely free of labels, prejudice with regard to a persons social or religious origin ” the missionary says.
Catholic schools and parishes are taking every precaution and encouraging solidarity. “Although we suffer, we continue to hope” says Father Fornaro.
Catholics in Taiwan are 1.5% of a population of 21 million. Franciscans have a mission which descends from the evangelisation in the 17th century. PA (Fides Service 7/5/2003 EM lines 24 Words: 272)
