KAOHSIUNG

As Archbishop “ad personam”

1. Kaohsiung is since 1859 the place of the first Catholic mission in “Formosa”, as Taiwan was called. The evangelization of the country started from there through the activity of the Dominican Fathers. Kaohsiung was erected as diocese in 1961.

2. On occasion of the 120th anniversary of the evangelization of Taiwan the Pope John Paul II has appointed the Bishop of Kaohsiung, Dominican Joseph Cheng, Archbishop “ad personam”. His successor Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, S.J., has been created Cardinal on 18 January 1998.

3. At conclusion of the celebrations of 150th anniversary of the evangelization of Taiwan, the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in appreciation of the historic role of Kaohsiung as the “mother church” and in encouragement of the evangelization, has conceded to the actual Bishop of this Diocese, His Exellency Peter Liu Cheng-Chung, the honorific title of Archbishop “ad personam”.

4. May I join my personal congratulations to Archbishop Liu, whom I have ordained on 28 September 1994 Bishop of Kiaye; therefore he is my spiritual son. May God bless you, dear Archbishop Peter!