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