Your Holiness:
The message "Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace" that Your Holiness issued for the celebration of the World Day of Peace on January 1, 2011, was conveyed to me by our ambassador to the Holy See, Mr. Larry Yu-yuan Wang. The words contained therein are laden with meaning and I was deeply touched. Your Holiness shares the suffering of people persecuted on account of their faith, and urges the world to honor religious freedom, to learn to be tolerant and to respect one another. Many values precious to mankind have been forgotten in these chaotic times, and Your Holiness' exhortations to virtue and purity are truly enlightening.
Catholicism is one of the cornerstones of the world's four great civilizations. Such universal values as freedom, equality, benevolence, democracy, justice and rule of law flow largely from the concept of universal love as practiced by Jesus Christ. As the most forthright and trusted defender of universally accepted values, Your Holiness is deeply respected and admired by people the world over.
Your Holiness encourages people, governments and international organizations to recognize that the right to religious freedom is rooted in the very dignity of the human person and is the path to peace. Your message also states that, "Freedom and respect are inseparable; indeed, 'in exercising their rights, individuals and social groups are bound by the moral law to have regard for the rights of others, their own duties to others and the common good of all.'” I truly believe the world will follow and uphold these words.
Since 2005, Your Holiness has travelled to five continents to extol human rights, fairness, justice and religious freedom, the lofty ideals and virtues that are reflected in the message for the World Day of Peace. Your Holiness points out that "among the fundamental rights and freedoms rooted in the dignity of the person, religious freedom enjoys a special status. When religious freedom is acknowledged, the dignity of the human person is respected at its root." You also note that "religious freedom is not the exclusive patrimony of believers, but of the whole family of the earth's peoples. It is an essential element of a constitutional state; it cannot be denied without at the same time encroaching on all fundamental rights and freedoms, since it is their synthesis and keystone." By reminding us that the importance of respect for the dignity and worth of the human person is highlighted in the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Your Holiness calls on the leaders of the world's great religions and the leaders of nations to "renew their commitment to promoting and protecting religious freedom, and in particular to defending religious minorities."
I fully share these views, and wholeheartedly believe that the people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) do enjoy, and indeed uphold, religious freedom. Respecting differences among various cultures has been an integral part of our traditions since ancient times. This is evidenced by a number of historic landmarks in Taiwan. There stands a temple in southern Taiwan that was built in 1686, during the Qing Dynasty, to honor Confucius. Next to the temple, a stone tablet was erected on which is inscribed an imperial edict ordering every passing official, soldier and civilian to dismount from their horses as a tribute. In 1859, Catholic followers in Taiwan established the Immaculate Conception Minor Basilica some 30 kilometers away from this temple. Then, in 1874, Emperor Tongzhi of the Qing Dynasty ordered that a stone tablet inscribed with "Catholic Basilica" be set atop the main gate, and that another stone tablet be placed next to the basilica giving the same "imperial edict"; that every official, soldier and civilian passing by the basilica dismount from their horses to show respect. This example perfectly encapsulates the fact that Taiwan has a long history of giving equal respect to both Catholicism and Confucianism.
The religious freedom of the people, especially religious minorities, is also safeguarded by the Constitution of the Republic of China. As Article 7 states, "All citizens of the Republic of China, irrespective of sex, religion, race, class, or party affiliation, shall be equal before the law." And despite its special status in terms of international politics, Taiwan has still managed to safeguard the human rights of its people. We ratified the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, as well as the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights in 2009, and have incorporated these two international covenants into domestic law. On 2010 Human Rights Day, I also set up the Presidential Office Human Rights Consultative Committee, which advises the government in the formulation of human rights policies and regularly submits the nation’s human rights reports. These measures aim to bring Taiwan’s human rights regulations and policies up to international standards.
It was in 1859, 152 years ago, that Catholicism was first introduced to Taiwan. Today, there are a total of 938 Catholic churches and more than 200,000 Catholic followers here. What is more, the Catholic hospitals, childcare facilities, social welfare organizations, schools and universities that are hard at work throughout Taiwan have contributed to the introduction of western institutions, medical care and modern technology to this nation. These greatly improved the quality of education and healthcare here, helped establish new social values and standards, bettered our social welfare network, and turned Taiwan into a diverse, open, democratic, just and modern society. On behalf of the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan), I want to extend my sincere appreciation to Your Holiness for the many contributions the Catholic Church has made to my country.
Back in 1983, Taiwan issued two commemorative stamps to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Father Matteo Ricci's arrival in mainland China. In 2009, a number of celebrations marking Catholicism’s 150th anniversary in Taiwan were held. Indeed, Catholicism is deeply rooted in this land and influences the daily lives of the people.
Your Holiness also mentions in the message that, "The year 2011 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the World Day of Prayer for Peace convened in Assisi in 1986 by Pope John Paul II." In Taiwan, the year 2011 also marks the centennial of the Republic of China. On this auspicious occasion, the government and people of the Republic of China (Taiwan) reaffirm their determination to respond to Your Holiness' calls to expound and propagate such universal values as democracy, human rights and religious freedom, so that the generations to come might one day enjoy lasting world peace.
Since taking office more than two years ago, I have actively promoted economic and cultural ties between Taiwan and mainland China in the hope of bringing about cross-strait peace and prosperity. As a result, religious ties between the two sides are also becoming closer, with many priests from mainland China visiting Taiwan to share their love for the Lord. I sincerely wish God's blessings upon the people of both Taiwan and mainland China.
I would also like to extend my utmost appreciation to Your Holiness for your long-standing support and concern for the well-being of my people. Taiwan vows to continue a partnership of peace and philanthropy with the Holy See, and to join Your Holiness in honoring the ideals of "Religious Freedom, the Path to Peace."
Please accept, Your Holiness, the assurances of my highest consideration, as well as my best wishes for your good health and the prosperity of the Holy See.