April 7, 2016
No. 088
On behalf of President Ma Ying-jeou, Minister of Foreign Affairs David Y. L. Lin conferred the Order of the Brilliant Star with Grand Cordon on the Most Reverend Archbishop-elect Paul Russell, the Holy See’s Chargé d’Affaires in Taipei, on April 7.
The award recognizes his contributions to enhancing relations between the Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Holy See since his arrival on June 14, 2008. Over the past several years, Chargé d’Affaires Russell has arranged for prominent Holy See officials to visit and has helped organize international events in Taiwan by various pontifical councils and committees. His achievements in supporting the Catholic Church’s mission in Taiwan have earned him praise from both the ROC government and the Holy See.
At the conferral ceremony, Minister Lin lauded Chargé d’Affaires Russell for his commitment over the past eight years. During his tenure, the two sides signed their first-ever agreement in December 2011, cementing bilateral collaboration in higher education and mutual recognition of diplomas and degrees. In March 2013, President Ma led a delegation to attend the inaugural ceremony of Pope Francis. In September 2014, the Sistine Chapel Choir performed for the first time in Taiwan. In addition, this February, the Vatican and the National Palace Museum launched Treasures from Heaven—A Special Exhibition of Artifacts from the Holy See, featuring treasured articles and relics from the Office for the Liturgical Celebrations of the Supreme Pontiff. These milestones in bilateral exchange and cooperation underscore the solid friendship between the two sides.
The ROC, based on its almost 74 years of diplomatic relations with the Holy See, will continue to uphold the shared values of freedom, democracy, human rights, and compassion, and strive to further deepen its humanitarian and charitable partnership with the Vatican. (E)