Taipei, Nov. 8 (CNA) President Chen Shui-bian conferred the Order of Brilliant Star Thursday on a former Fu Jen Catholic University president, Archbishop Stanislaus Lokuang, in recognition of his contribution to the promotion of Taipei-Vatican relations.
The conferring ceremony was held at the Presidential Office with Cardinal Paul Shan, Archbishop Joseph Ti-kang, the Holy See's charge d'affaires to the Republic of China Adolf Tito Yllana, Fu Jen Catholic University President Lee Ning-yuan, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Chiou Jong-nang and Deputy Presidential Secretary-General Eugene Chien witnessing.
In a written message read by Ti-kang, Lokuang said that it is "each ROC national's responsibility" to promote bilateral relations between the ROC and the Holy See.
He said that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries is not only conducive to the spread of Catholic teaching but also helpful to the promotion of cultural exchanges.