ASIA/TAIWAN - With an event in the city park, the Year of Faith in the Diocese of Tai Nan begins

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) – An event in a public park in the town of Tai Nan to present the activities and organization of the Catholic Church officially opened on 13 October, the Year of Faith in the Diocese of Tai Nan on the island of Taiwan. According to information sent to Fides Agency, parishes, missionary institutes, associations, schools, the publishing house of the diocese, set up about thirty stands to present the Catholic faith and the service of the Church. Over 3000 faithful participated in the initiative, which lasted for the entire weekend. At 10 am on Saturday, October 13, His Exc. Mgr. Bosco Lin Ji Nan, diocesan Bishop, presided at the Mass in the park for the opening of the Year of Faith. Civil authorities attended the event, publicly acknowledging the contribution of the Church to society, especially in the service to the elderly, the poor, disabled children, confirming that the Church "not only loves Tai Nan, but all of Taiwan." On this occasion Mgr. Lin was awarded a prize to the volunteers and religious who have served the Church with special devotion. In the afternoon, the unexpected visit of His Exc. Mgr. Peter Liu, Archbishop of Kaohsiung, was a happy surprise for everyone present. Mgr. Liu said he came to bring "the friendship of the sister diocese ", but also "to experience this wonderful initiative." (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 18/10/2012)