I need to apologize to people who felt offended because it was, and is not, my intention to offend the Taiwanese people. [Father Jan van Aert was quoted in the article, "Dutch father surprised by Chen's invitation to the Pope's funeral," Apr. 16, page 2 - Ed.]
The sentence: I feel "pity" (probably much too strong a word) for people who do not believe in Jesus Christ should be I feel "sorry" for all people who do not have faith, because according to me, faith is very important in our lives, whatever faith we have.
At the end of the article I say no matter whether people choose to believe in Buddhism or Christianity, they have to think seriously about what they believe. I often advise Buddhist people to be good Buddhists.
The faith of the new Pope Benedict XVI could be an example for us all. The new Pope says, "I feel the Lord near to me, as if holding my hand. And he says to me `Do not be afraid.'"
If we all have this kind of faith according to our own religion, then reconciliation and peace is possible. With Dan Bloom the reconciliation has already taken place [Bloom's letter "Locals suffer? More's the pity" appeared on Apr. 21, page 8 - Ed.]
So again, my apologies, and I hope we all become stronger in our faith. (If you like another word besides faith, you can say conviction, vision, inspiration or even love.) Wishing you all the best, I am thankful that the president chose me to go with him to Rome.
May we all receive strength from our faith, because between the four seas we are all brothers and sisters.
Father Jan van Aert
St. Anne's Home
Tianmu
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