ASIA/TAIWAN - At Miao Li Convent diocese of Hsin Chu Cardinal Shan inaugurates a Holy House of Loreto, the third in the world and the only one in Asia

Tai Pei (Agenzia Fides) -A special Mass presided by Cardinal Paul Shan to inaugurate a perfect reproduction of the shrine of the "Holy House of Loreto" was attended by more than 2,000 people. About fifty bishops and priests concelebrated. According to Tai Pei archdiocese's Christian Life Weekly the reproduction, an exact copy of the much loved Shrine in Loreto, Italy, stands in the grounds of the Convent of Sisters of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary SSCC in Miao Li, diocese of Hsin Chu. There is one other reproduction of the Holy House of Loreto in world in the Czech Republic. This new copy built in Taiwan is the only one in Asia. Taiwan Catholics are deeply devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph and besides being a sign of lively faith, the shrine will certainly draw visitors from all over the Island and abroad and help ease the difficult local economic situation in the area of Miao Li. In his homily during Mass Cardinal Shan said: “at last the Taiwan Catholics can fulfil the dream of making a pilgrimage to the Holy House here in their own home.” Among the numerous guests present for the occasion also a delegation from Loreto in Italy. (NZ) (Agenzia Fides 8/5/2007 Righe: 20 Parole: 218)