Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - "Marriage tradition and the Catholic pastoral" is the theme of the 7th Pastoral Congress of indigenous peoples of Taiwan to be held from November 7 to 9. The invitation to participate, addressed to the whole community, is signed by His Exc. Mgr. J. B. Lee, Bishop of Hsinchu and President of the Group of evangelization of the family, and by His Exc. Mgr. J. B. Tseng Chien-Tsi, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese of Hwa Lien and President of the Commission for the Apostolate of the aborigines. In the introductory text of the initiative, sent to Fides Agency, reads: "In recent years the rate of cohabitation, divorce and abortion increases, even to the point of denying the value of marriage and the family, causing many social problems. Therefore the theme of the annual appointment is focused on 'marriage tradition and the Catholic pastoral' to share the ecclesiastical point of view on the theology of marriage, according to canon law, and marriage tradition of the indigenous, in reference to the pastoral care of marriage. Above all, we want to try to give an adequate response to the conflict and contradictions between indigenous marriage tradition and the canon law of the Church. "
According to the Ministry of the Interior, in 2010 the indigenous population of Taiwan reached 512,701 units, with a sharp increase compared to the rest of the population of the island. The majority of the indigenous population is concentrated in the diocese of Hwa Lien and Tai Dong. This reality poses a major challenge for the mission of the Church, which has always given the utmost attention to these populations through Congress and the annual Day of Prayer for indigenous peoples. Moreover, the Commission for the Apostolate of the Aborigines of the Regional Episcopal Conference is the platform that coordinates the pastoral work of the parish and diocesan commissions, promoting their collaboration. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 24/10/2012)
