Ambassador from Republic of China (Taiwan) reacts to Papal Speech

(Vatican Radio) Pope Benedict XVI gave his annual address to the Diplomatic Corps on Monday, highlighting his concerns for different parts of the world. One of the Ambassadors present was Larry Wang, the representative of the Republic of China on Taiwan to the Holy See.

In my opinion, the message of the Holy Father to the Diplomatic Corps is consistent to what already said on the occasion of the 46^th World Day Peace Message,” he told Vatican Radio. “The Pope dedicates the first part of his message to list the conflicts, religious or war conflicts, taking place in numerous parts of the world, starting with the Middle East and proceeding with Africa, where Christians are deprived of fundamental rights and even violently attacked and forced to leave their homes because of their faith. This is not what is happening in Taiwan where people enjoy widespread religion freedom, a right guaranteed by its constitution.”

Ambassador Wang also highlighted a new agreement between the Holy See and the Republic of China signed last month dealing with education.

“Thanks to this Agreement, all the titles, diplomas and degrees earned at ecclesiastical universities worldwide will be recognized in Taiwan,” Ambassador Wang said. “Similarly, the titles of Taiwanese universities will be recognized by ecclesiastical universities all over the world. This will make it possible to propose Christian values in the academic fields even in non-theological faculties.”

Listen to the interview by Charles Collins with Ambassador Wang: