Sunday, November 21, 2010

Taiwan cardinal calls for communion

Cardinal Paul Shan, emeritus archbishop of Kiaohsung, calls for communion between priests and bishops and with the Universal Church in a letter to his “brother bishops” that has just been made public by the Taiwan Catholic Church.

“I pray for you, your dioceses and the whole Church in China…May the Lord also grant you that your evangelization and pastoral work progress smoothly and successfully,” Cardinal Shan writes.

“May all the Catholics of your diocese be united in heart and soul, and cooperate with one another in mutual love. May each particular Church be in communion with the Universal Church in order to fulfill Our Lord’s will that there be one flock and one shepherd.”

Although the letter is dated May 1, 2010, it was just recently made public, Fides reports.
Cardinal Shan wishes to share some of his considerations with his brother bishops, especially in regards to the relationship that should exist between a bishop and his priests, who are the close collaborators of the Bishop in evangelization and pastoral work.

The first relationship trait he addresses is that of “father-son,” not something “paternalistic, like that of an ancient patriarchal society” but within human limitations imitating the relationship between God the Father and His Son.

“The Father and His only Son Jesus, with one heart and mind, live, communicate and work together.”

Comparing the diocese to a family, Cardinal Shan then explains how “the bishop is the head of the family and the priests are his sons.”

The main task of the head of the family “is to satisfy his children’s physical, intellectual and spiritual needs, so that they can have the sense of security at home. At the same time he must put all his effort into raising the children until they become adults.”

He also has the responsibility for nurturing the family, caring for the priests’ livelihood and material needs.

Cardinal Shan invites the bishops to form a “sacerdotal college (presbyterium)” in the diocese, characterized by a “warm, friendly and lovable atmosphere.”

Cardinal Shan concludes his letter saying that he knows “the difficult situations you are in,” which is why he prays every day for them and for their diocese, and he also wishes to share his small contribution from 30 years’ experience as a bishop.

If the bishop maintains good relations, “God will bless his pastoral and evangelical work with abundant fruit,” Cardinal Shan writes.

SIC: CTHN/ASIA