The nation's Catholic priests and government officials said diplomatic ties between Taiwan and the Holy See will not be affected by the death of Pope John Paul II, while admitting that the Vatican is eager to establish official relations with China.
Asked whether the Pope's death would change Taiwan's relations with its only diplomatic ally in Europe, Archbishop Joseph Cheng (
But John Paul II's opposition to abortion posed one of the major difficulties in the Vatican's efforts to improve relations with China, whose one-child policy often led to compulsory abortion and sterilization, Cheng said.
The Holy See, though keen on establishing diplomatic relations with Beijing, will maintain its principle of not cutting ties with its allies.
"It will never propose severing ties with Taiwan," Cheng said. "It is natural that the Vatican hopes to take care of the people on other side [of the Taiwan Strait] and the 12 million Catholics there. The purpose of the church is to shepherd people in every corner of the world."
But the Vatican has already downgraded its relations with Taipei once. In 1980 it recalled its last ambassador to Taiwan, and its hasn't sent another since. Instead it has sent a succession of lower-ranked representatives.
The Vatican's embassy in Taipei offered a book of condolences for people to sign their names in remembrance of John Paul II. The address of the embassy is 87 Aikuo East Road.
Government officials yesterday visited the embassy to pay their tribute to the Pope. The embassy is closed today for Tomb-Sweeping Day and will reopen tomorrow for foreign diplomats to sign the book of condolences. The general public can sign the book on Thursday and Friday.
Monsignor Ambrose Madtha, the Holy See's representative to Taipei, said that the book of condolences will be sent to the Vatican for collection.
The Archdiocese of Taipei will hold a memorial mass for the Pope at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Taipei at 5pm tomorrow.
Cardinal Paul Shan (
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