Kaohsiung Bishop Paul Shan Elevated to Cardinal

On February 21st, Pope John Paul II conducted a ceremony in St. Peters Square in the Vatican for 22 newly named cardinals. Among them was Paul Shan, Bishop of the Kaohsiung diocese and president of the Chinese Catholic Bishops' Conference. Catholics in Taiwan see this appointment as tremendously encouraging.

Cardinal Shan is the fifth person of Chinese ancestry in the world to be appointed cardinal. He is the first to be appointed from the Taiwan area. Thus, 20 years after the death of Cardinal Yu Pin (who lived in Taiwan but was appointed from a mainland China diocese), the Taiwan church has finally been granted its own cardinal. This is of great significance.

At a press conference after returning home, Cardinal Shan noted that this was the last appointment of cardinals in this century, and that he was the only cardinal named from Asia. He said that the Pope often expresses his admiration for Chinese culture and Chinese people. There are two other living cardinals of Chinese ancestry: Gong Pinmei (former bishop of Shanghai, who spent 30 years in prison in the PRC and now lives in the US) and Hu Chen-chung of the Hong Kong diocese.

The Pope may freely decide who is promoted to the rank of cardinal. Qualifications include education, character, and ability, as well as contributions to the church. Ordinarily they are selected from among the ranks of bishops. When the Pope retires or passes away, the cardinals are responsible for selecting the new Pope. They may also be commissioned by the Pontiff to represent him at functions. Obviously they have a very high status.

On receiving official notification, Cardinal Shan said: "This is a great affirmation of the efforts made by Taiwan's 300,000 Catholics." He feels that the Pope understands the hard work of the Catholics in Taiwan, and looks favorably on their many contributions-in culture, education, medicine, social welfare, and other areas-made over the last half-century. As of the end of 1997, the Catholic church in Taiwan was operating 46 middle and primary schools, two universities, one technical college, 17 homes for the elderly, and seven halfway houses for troubled youth. In addition, various parishes include centers to assist aboriginal people, foreign laborers working in Taiwan (including many Filipino Catholics), and those on the fringes of society.

Recently Cardinal Shan has been promoting the establishment of a Catholic benevolent fund, and the strengthening of service to aboriginal people, foreign workers, the poor and ill, and those in prison. Moreover, the Taiwan Catholic Church is planning a major conference on "New Good News for the New Century," to be held in 2000, in the hope of helping Taiwan society as it adjusts to rapid change.

Cardinal Shan, 75 years old this year, joined the Society of Jesus (the Jesuits) at age 23. He served in the Philippines and Vietnam, and earned a doctorate in theology at the Vatican. After coming to Taiwan at age 40, he held a number of positions, including principal of the Hsu Huei Middle School and head of the Kuang Chi Program Service. He is highly respected by his colleagues, has been three times elected president of the Chinese Catholic Bishops' Conference. Last year he visited the Vatican on three occasions, including one on which he accompanied the Buddhist master Hsing Yun, a trip that received great attention in Taiwan's media and religious community. It is also said that he was instrumental in arranging the trip taken last year to the Vatican by Vice President Lien Chan.

Because the Vatican is the only state in Europe that maintains official diplomatic relations with the ROC, and because there are many Catholics in mainland China, Taiwan's relations with the Vatican are closely scrutinized. This is especially the case since the Vatican downgraded its level of diplomatic relations with Taiwan and recalled its ambassador. ROC ambassador to the Vatican Raymond Tai believes that Shan's appointment is an affirmation of the freedom and democracy enjoyed in Taiwan. Cardinal Shan has said that in its diplomacy the Vatican does not place the most importance on politics, military affairs, or economics, but on human freedom, religious faith, and respect for ethical and moral standards.

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After returning from the ceremony in which he was formally raised to the rank of cardinal, Paul Shan ascribed his appointment to Taiwan's progress toward freedom and democracy, and said it is a blessing for the well-being of the whole people. (photo by Diago Chiu)