By Ben Blanchard / Reuters
A Vatican official is making a rare trip to Taiwan this week for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Buddhist charity the Tzu Chi Foundation, at a time when the Holy See is working to improve ties with China. The Vatican is one of only 12 countries to maintain formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan, and the only one in Europe, although it does not station an ambassador in Taipei. Tzu Chi and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Cardinal Peter Turkson, chancellor of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences, is in Taipei this week for the charity’s anniversary events.
Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation members commemorate the organization’s 60th anniversary during an annual Buddha bathing ceremony marking Buddha’s birthday, Mother’s Day and Global Tzu Chi Day at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Sunday.
Photo: Ann Wang, Reuters
“Taiwan and the Vatican share universal values, including religious freedom, human rights, peace and fraternity,” the ministry said in a statement, adding that it welcomes and supports international religious exchanges and cooperation. Tzu Chi said Turkson took part in a Sunday morning anniversary event in Hualien County, where the charity is headquartered.
The Vatican did not respond to a request for comment.
American Institute in Taiwan Director Raymond Greene attends an event hosted by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation at Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall in Taipei on Sunday.
Photo: Fang Pin-chao, Taipei Times
Another Vatican official, Paulin Batairwa Kubuya, under-secretary of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, visited Taiwan last year to attend a conference and meet members of its different faiths. Despite their formal ties, President William Lai (賴清德) neither attended Pope Francis’ funeral last year nor the inauguration of Pope Leo XIV at the Vatican. On Sunday night, thousands of Tzu Chi volunteers and staff took part in the main celebration at Taipei’s Liberty Square, attended by Lai and American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) Director Raymond Greene. Tzu Chi works around the world, especially in disaster zones, and while it is a Buddhist organization it works across faiths.