_WORLD WATCH______________________________
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Welcome in Taiwan
A slap at Beijing
While the Chinese government in Beijing refuses to allow Pope John Paul II to visit the mainland, President Chen Shui-bian of Taiwan has renewed his invitation for the Pope to visit that island nation, the Fides news service has reported.
During conversations on January 29 with the visiting Cardinal Jan Pieter Schotte, President Chen repeated the invitation which he had first issued in July 2000, shortly after his election. While emphasizing his desire for strong and friendly relations with the Vatican, the Taiwanese leader added: “The Pope is welcome to come here to proclaim the Gospel.”
President Chen also voiced his praise and gratitude for Catholic charitable efforts in Taiwan, where the Church operates 50 schools and 15 hospitals, and Catholic relief agencies have been instrumental in responding to recent disastrous floods. “I am moved by Catholics’ enthusiastic and generous work,” he said.
In his response to the president, Cardinal Schotte criticized Beijing indirectly when he praised Taiwan as a country that is “aware that religious freedom is a fundamental human right.”