Francesco Carin CMF
TAIPEI (UCAN): Archbishop Thomas Chung An-Zu was installed as the new archbishop of Taipei during a concelebrated Mass in Taipei on Saturday, July 18. Monsignor Arnaldo Catalan, the Holy See’s attaché to Taiwan, read Bishop Chung’s letter of appointment by Pope Francis in English and then its Chinese translation was read.
The Zhongmei Hall of Fu Jen Catholic University was chosen as the venue for the event, in order to accommodate more people even while following the social distancing regulations in place due to the Covid-19 coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic.
A little over 2,000 people joined the ceremony, roughly 1,000 from the Diocese of Taipei and another 1,000 from other dioceses, mostly from Chiayi, where Bishop Chung was bishop until he was appointed Archbishop of Taipei.
There was important representation of members of the government, including president of Taiwan, Tsai Ing-wen; former vice-president, Chen Chien-jen; the minister of Interior Affairs; and the secretary of the Presidential Office attended the installation ceremony.
Many leaders of Christian confessions present in Taiwan, as well as Muslim, Taoist and Buddhist religious leaders were also present. The ethnic and cultural diversity of Taiwan was well represented by the aboriginal groups, the Han Chinese and new citizens and non-Chinese groups from Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia.
In his homily, Archbishop Chung presented what he expects will be the three main pillars of his episcopacy: achieving a fluid and positive relationship with the priests of the diocese; care for the youth, present and future of the Church; and the protection and support of the family.
The new archbishop also remarked on the importance of unity and cooperation among Christian brothers and sisters of different confessions as well as interreligious dialogue in the multicultural and multireligious society of Taiwan.
After the installation ceremony there was a dinner reception in thanksgiving for former Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan for his years of service in the archdiocese and to welcome the new archbishop. The event was embellished with rich cultural performances from Taipei and Chiayi dioceses.
