Mon, Apr 04, 2005 page1

• President conveys nation's condolences to the Holy See

  • By Melody Chen / STAFF REPORTER
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  President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁) and Vice President Annette Lu (呂秀蓮) sent condolences to the Holy See, Taiwan's only diplomatic ally in Europe, on the death of Pope John Paul II yesterday.

  Chen and Lu expressed their "deepest sorrow and regret" over the loss of a great religious leader of the world.

  "No doubt the death of the Pope is a great loss to the world. The government and the people of the Republic of China are in mourning ? The image of the Pope, who spent his entire life pursuing peace and the well-being of the mankind, will be printed on the hearts of people for ever," Chen said.

  First lady Wu Shu-jen (吳淑珍), who visited the Vatican in July 2003 to join celebrations for the 25th anniversary of John Paul II's reign on behalf of the president, told reporters at a children's fair yesterday that she was grieved by the death of the Pope.

  "He is a good man. I am sad," she said.

  John Paul II met with Wu and gave her a string of Catholic beads, while Wu delivered a letter from Chen to the Pope.

  "Our people were touched to see photos of the historic moment when the Pope and Wu, both wheelchair-bound, shook hands. The Pope warmly received my wife and gave her a string of beads. My wife and I are very grateful to the Pope and have cherished and preserved the beads well," Chen said.

  Lu saluted John Paul II for making numerous international trips during his lifetime to dedicate himself to seeking peace for the world.

  Selfless

  "He gave himself selflessly for mankind," she said.

  "I hope the worldly peace the Pope worked so hard for will arrive as soon as possible," Lu said.

  National flags on the Presidential Office and the Executive Yuan were lowered to half-mast yesterday and will fly this position today to mourn John Paul II.

  Taiwan's ambassador to the Holy See, Tou Chou-seng (杜筑生), will attend the funeral of John Paul II on behalf of the president and the country, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) Spokesman Michel Lu (呂慶龍) said. He said Tou has also sent Minister of Foreign Affairs Mark Chen's (陳唐山) condolences to the Holy See.

  As the Vatican begins electing John Paul II's successor, Chen will soon appoint an envoy to lead an official delegation to attend the inauguration of the new Pope, Michel Lu said.

  "The Holy See and our country have maintained close and friendly relations ? The ministry will continue pushing for mutual visits by the Vatican and Taiwanese leaders to deepen both sides' understanding of each other," read a statement released by MOFA.

  The Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference (CRBC) -- which ministers to Catholics in Taiwan -- released a statement to express Taiwanese Catholics' sorrow over the Pope's death yesterday.

  Father John Chen (陳琨鎮), secretary-general of the CRBC, said he believed the Pope "is resting in the arms of our Heavenly Father to share the glory of the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

  "However, the Pope's death still grieves us deeply ? We shall remember the Pope's faith and the spiritual heritage he left for us," John Chen said.

  Grand Mass

  The CRBC invited people from all backgrounds to pray for John Paul II. It plans to hold a grand mass for Catholics in Taiwan on the day of the Pope's funeral.

  Other political party leaders, including Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Chairman Su Tseng-chang (蘇貞昌), paid tribute to John Paul II yesterday.

  "The Pope, as a faithful servant of God, brought the power of love to the world," Su said.

  Premier Frank Hsieh (謝長廷) said that Pope John Paul II is one of the great figures of the 20th century. His passing is a loss for the whole of humanity, he added.

  Hsieh said that Taiwan has diplomatic relations with the Vatican and the government will send a delegation to the Pope's funeral.

  He said he will not go himself because he will be busy during the legislature's session, but said that the president and the Cabinet are selecting delegations.

  Hsieh said that relations between the two countries won't be affected by the Pope's death.

  Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Chairman Lien Chan (連戰) also expressed his condolences.

  KMT spokeswoman Cheng Li-wen (鄭麗文) relayed through a statement released yesterday morning that Lien had a deep friendship with the pope after visiting the Vatican many times while serving as vice president and premier, and in visits after finishing his duties as a government official, and felt great sorrow at his loss.

  Additional reporting by Caroline Hung
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