President Ma Ying-jeou attended on the evening of April 19 a reception celebrating the 4th anniversary of the Pontificate of His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI, and expressed on behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) his most heartfelt congratulations to His Holiness the Pope.
President Ma said that Pope Benedict XVI, following his inauguration in 2005, has dedicated himself to maintaining human rights and freedom and to safeguarding fair treatment and justice. The noble ideals and boundless love of His Holiness the Pope are admirable, he said. The people and government of Taiwan cherish human rights, love peace, advocate freedom and democracy, and respect religious freedom, the president said. More importantly, he added, for many years, the ROC has shared the ideals of the Holy See, providing aid to people in need around the world wherever disaster strikes. He noted that Taiwan has become one of the Holy See's most loyal partners for charity and peace, and will continue to dispatch agricultural and medical missions to its diplomatic allies in Africa, Latin America, and the South Pacific region in hopes of helping the less fortunate improve their lives. President Ma said that Taiwan will also continue to enhance exchange and contact with the Vatican, and work with it to promote human rights and freedom around the world.
With this year marking the sesquicentennial of Catholicism's introduction to Taiwan, President Ma indicated, it carries special meaning to both Taiwan and the Holy See. As one can see, he said, the cooperation and friendship between the Catholic Church and the people of Taiwan have deep roots. In Taiwan, many NGOs that provide services to senior citizens, the physically challenged and the disadvantaged were established by Catholic institutions. Their dedication to social education and manifestation of compassion are truly admirable. President Ma said that as a child, he learned about Catholicism and was inspired by Reverend Remi van Hyfte of the Congregation of the Immaculate Heart of Mary (CICM), who had devoted himself to serving Taiwan for over 4 decades and passed away after returning to Belgium. Also, the president said, he learned much from the nuns that taught his English classes as well when he was in college. He added that over the past two years he visited the Cingliao Catholic church located in Houbi Township, Tainan County, three times. During his visits, the president said, he had excellent conversations with the brothers and sisters there. He noted that the priests and sisters, all of them are from France, have developed very close ties with the local people through their missionary activities and their work caring for the disadvantaged. The president said he admires and appreciates very much their devotion and efforts. On top of that, he is very impressed with their fluent Mandarin and Taiwanese, the president said.
President Ma made special note of the fact that Taiwan just a few weeks ago ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, and also passed an statute governing implementation of the two covenants (the "Implementation Statute"), which he considers an epoch-making event in history of this country. The ROC signed these two covenants in 1967, but failed to ratify them in its Legislature due to the loss of its UN seat. However, the president said, because of his insistence and with the cooperation of the Legislative Yuan, the ratification process and passage of the Implementation Statute have at last been completed. In the two years to come, the Ministry of Justice and other concerned agencies will exert every effort to ensure that the two covenants and the Implementation Statute will have a meaningful impact on everyday life in Taiwan.
President Ma once again extended his appreciation to His Holiness for his support and blessings, saying that it really is an honor for Taiwan to be a peace partner of the Holy See. He said he is confident that, with the wisdom, leadership and guidance of His Holiness, the international community will make huge strides toward realizing world peace. Likewise, Taiwan and the Holy See's partnership for peace and humanitarian work will continue to deepen, the president said.