Religious official visits Taipei archbishop

The head of Taiwan’s Bishops’ Conference and the Director of China’s Religious Affairs have agreed on mainland priests going for further studies in Taiwan. The Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan, president of Taiwan’s Chinese Regional Bishops’ Conference, said that the Taiwan Church is very happy to assist in this regard.

Wang Zuo’an, director of the State Administration for Religious Affairs (SARA) in mainland China, met with the prelate in his office on Sept. 16. The Chinese official was leading a 15-member delegation on a weeklong visit to Taiwan during which he also met with Buddhist, Muslim, Protestant and Taoist leaders.

Wang Zuo’an meets Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan

The hour-long meeting between Archbishop Hung of Taipei and Wang was the first since the later assumed office in September 2009. Archbishop Hung said he spoke to Wang about the development of the Catholic Church in Taiwan. Wang also praised the work of Church people in Taiwan and other places in training mainland China priests.

Archbishop Hung said their discussion did not touch on Beijing-Vatican relations. The Taiwan-born prelate said he has never been to mainland China but is willing to visit it and the Vatican-recognized clergy there. Wang also met with Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, retired bishop of Kaohsiung and his successor Archbishop Peter Liu Cheng-chung on Sept. 19 to discuss cross-strait religious matters.