Taipei (AsiaNews) - The example of Benedict XVI and his decision to give up the Petrine ministry travelled around the glob within a matter of minutes. In Taiwan, the Catholic community has accepted the Pope's decision "with respect and admiration". At Sunday Mass, priests are asking everyone to pray for the Pope and for the Church in this time of transition. After the Mass, two faithful from the Sacred Heart parish in Hsinchu, spoke to AsiaNews about Benedict XVI's resignation.
"The Pope has made a very important decision, especially his awareness of the need to step aside for health reasons. I believe that we are called to give the best of ourselves, and if we realize that it is not the best, we are called to make room for others". The speaker is Longxiang (龙 享), 48, a teacher at a junior high school in the city. "With my students we practice making decisions together, to show that education means responsibility that if you do not participate and do not contribute, someone else decide for you."
"But doesn't the teacher decide?" we ask, and he immediately replies: "Yes, but everyone's contribution is important, so the fact that Pope Benedict stepped aside was very meaningful for me. We talked with the students last week: I told them that the Pope for Catholics is a figure of great importance, so even if the Pope tells everyone that it is better to give way to another, that he has given all that he can, it means that each individual brings an important contribution to a group, a community or a school class. "
When asked whether the Church is more than just a school class, he responds with his experience: "Of course, the Church is divine, it was born from the words of Jesus, but God is present in every person . Above all in those who belong to another faith or don't believe, Pope Benedict repeated this. Otherwise my students, who are almost all Buddhists, are only second class creatures?".
Ruixing (瑞 姓), 51, a civil rights lawyer in a private company in the capital, intervenes, saying that "unlike Longxiang, I was not baptized as a child, but then I converted to the Christian faith and I chose to be a part of the community of believers. For me it was a choice of joining a community of friends who were a powerful witness of people committed to others. And there are discussions in the parish, but I noticed that the parish priest never imposes his own choice, even though he always reminds us that there is only a consultative participation, this participation is important because everyone has something to add. "
The comparison with civil society is interesting: it's not your usual debate, after Mass on Sunday morning. But since the speaker is a lawyer, we ask if it is the case that the Church look more closely at this issue, in a process of greater democratization: "Who knows, unexpected things happen all the time. Pope Benedict's resignation is a clear example that more than rules and regulations what counts is the substance: deliberative or consultative power first of all presumes passion and active participation by members of the Christian community. From this passion comes mission and the desire to give to others".
"Personally, I think the Pope's resignation pushes us all be more active in our daily tasks. It's like imagining Pope Benedict is saying to us: 'As pontiff I gave my contribution and will continue to do so even if in another form even after retiring: What are you contributing to the mission of Jesus Christ and the Church?".