Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) - In a New Year Pastoral Letter the Archbishop of Tai Pei Joseph Cheng has asked for more intense coordination of pastoral work and prayers for vocations. The Letter, published in the diocesan bulletin Christian Life Weekly, was issued in view of the Lunar New Year’s day, January 18. Writing as a ‘Head of the Family’ and Shepherd, the Archbishop looks back on the past year of activity in the diocese with great objectivity and urges his people, as a father to members of his family to “pray for God’s grace and live according to His will”.
Archbishop Cheng retraced of his three years’ mission as Archbishop of Tai Pei, and thanked God for his new auxiliary Bishop Thomas Chung. He indicated 4 crucial priorities for the life and mission of the archdiocese: open a Pastoral Office; foster intense and coordinated collaboration between the archdiocese and religious institutes; give maximum attention to promotion of vocations to the priesthood; ask people to be concerned for the priests, religious and seminarians at the service of the community. The letter reads “A Pastoral Office is necessary to coordinate the pastoral activity of the diocese and religious institutes and for a better used of human resources…. In the archdiocese of Tai Pei there are many religious congregations which offer their service. This activity needs to be coordinated with that of the parishes. If we had more vocations, things would work better... I ask you to pray continually for vocations and I am sure the Lord will hear your voices which come from the heart…. A priest must accept his people, also their criticism; the people must realise they are called to be part of the parishes, for the city district the priest and the faithful represent the light and salt of the world … pray for your priests and be tolerant and patient with them”.
The Archbishop concluded “To speak of these problems as we prepare for new year festivities may seem inappropriate. But the beginning of a new year is a good time for reflection. The all-merciful Lord is listening and we must follow the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. I am certain with His guidance our diocese will grow”. (NZ)(Agenzia Fides 17/2/2007 Righe: 32 Parole: 407)
