Focus Taiwan
Date: 2015/06/09
By: Lilian Wu
Taipei, June 9 (CNA) Two Jesuit priests received Plum Blossom Cards (梅花卡) from the
Father Barry Martinson CNA file photo
National Immigration Agency on Monday, giving them permanent resident status in Taiwan in recognition of their selfless love and devotion to the country over the past decade.
The two priests — Barry Martinson (丁松青) from the United States and Yves Nalet (南耀寧) from France — have worked many years in the mountainous areas of Hsinchu County in northern Taiwan.
Residents of the mountainous communities in Jianshih (尖石鄉) and Wufeng (五峰鄉) townships in the county do not have much materially, but their faith has become a source of strength, and many who grew up going to church in the villages said they have been deeply influenced by the priests.
“They have not only brought religion, but strength, which allows you to believe that love changes everything,” one parishioner said. [FULL STORY]
