Taipei (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Card. Paul Shan, is to receive the Presidential Award for peace, for "his contribution to peace and ethnic harmony." On this year’s winners list there is also a non-governmental organization of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, engaged in helping women and children who suffer abuse, rape or are forced into prostitution.
The announcement of the award was made September 15 by the National Association for Culture during a press conference at which card. Shan was also present.
The cardinal stood out this month for his marked efforts to aid the victims of Typhoon Morakot, which claimed more than 500 lives and caused extensive damage to buildings and agriculture in the country. Despite being diagnosed with cancer for some time, card. Shan continued to travel to the affected areas to comfort the homeless and encourage aid. He also met the Dalai Lama, who visited disaster areas.
The Good Shepherd Social Welfare Services was honoured for its commitment to society. The organization of nuns is dedicated to helping adolescent victims of prostitution and women and children subjected to rape, domestic violence and delinquency.
Other winners include Chi Pang-yuan, professor emeritus of English literature at National Taiwan University and other organizations in support of culture, the youth and the environment.
President Ma Ying-jeou will preside at the awards ceremony next November 1 in Wufeng (Taichung). Winners will receive a certificate and a gift of 1 million Taiwanese dollars (about 21 thousand).