ASIA/TAIWAN - Honorary citizenship awarded to 8 missionaries of the Sisters of Mary of the Holy Cross on the 50th anniversary of the arrival of the first four women religious from Europe

Tai Tung (Fides Service) - “They love Taiwan as if it were home and they have spent the best years of their life, some 20 and some 40 years, serving the people of Taiwan” This was the motivation for the honorary citizenship conferred on eight Catholic nuns originally from Switzerland and Austria, members of the Congregation of the Sisters of Mary of the Holy Cross. The honorary citizenshp was presented by the authorities of Tai Tung on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Sisters presence in Taiwan in the diocese of Hua Lien. Over a thousand people attended a special Mass for the occasion presided by Bishop Philip Huang Jaw-Ming of Hua Lien. In his homily the Bishop traced the history of the Order’s presence in Taiwan. The first four Sisters arrived 50 years ago to work in the field of healthcare. In the past 50 years the community of 35 sisters has served the people in the town of Tai Tung situated in a mountainous area where living conditions are difficult. Over the years 18 local women have joined the order. (Agenzia Fides 22/7/2005 Righe: 16 Parole: 211)