Pope to Catholic University of Taiwan: Be witnesses of wisdom and hope

By Vatican News

Marking the centenary of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan, Pope Leo sent a message - read out during Holy Mass on Friday morning - in which he offered “heartfelt greetings” to all members of the University community as they “joyfully commemorate one hundred years of academic endeavour inspired by the Gospel”. The Mass was celebrated by the Archbishop of Kaohsiung, Peter Lau Cheng-chung, in the chapel of Fu Jen Catholic University in Taipei.

Founded in 1925 at the request of the Holy See and later reconstituted in Taiwan in 1961, Pope Leo describes Fu Jen as holding “the unique distinction of being the only institution of higher learning established by the Holy See in the Mandarin-speaking world”.  Over the decades, he continues, it has borne generous fruit by uniting intellectual excellence with the values expressed in its motto: Veritas, Bonitas, Pulchritudo, Sanctitas.  “In doing so, it has helped form men and women who contribute to society with wisdom, integrity, and compassion”, said the Pope.

Pope Leo then invited the members of the community to reflect once again on the noble mission of Catholic higher education, as articulated in Ex corde Ecclesiae: “to explore courageously the riches of Revelation and of nature so that the united endeavor of intelligence and faith will enable people to come to the full measure of their humanity, created in the image and likeness of God”.

He then expressed his hope that the anniversary may “rekindle in all members of the University community a renewed commitment to be witnesses of wisdom and hope in a rapidly changing world”, especially, he added, at a time in which advances in technology, shifting cultural landscapes, and new ethical questions call for a clear moral compass guided by the light of Christ. 

In this way, the Pope concluded, "the seeds of faith, knowledge, and service that were planted a century ago will continue to bear fruit for future generations".