Taiwan donates to Catholic charities for Ukraine refugees

Sep 23, 2022

ROME: Taiwan has donated a total of US$89,600 (RM406,386) to various Catholic groups in Europe to support humanitarian aid to refugees who fled Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Former Taiwanese Vice President Chen Chien-jen handed over the donation on behalf of the government following a Mass for peace in Ukraine at the Minor Basilica of Santa Sofia, a Ukrainian Church in Rome on September 5, Focus Taiwan reported.

Chen, 71, a Catholic and member of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy of Sciences, donated the funds to three Catholic groups and the Minor Basilica of Santa Sofia.

During his address after the Mass, Chen praised Ukrainians for their unyielding resistance against Russia’s aggression.

He stated that Taiwan deeply sympathised with the suffering of Ukrainians and would learn from Ukraine’s example to firmly defend themselves in the face of “China’s intimidation and military threats.”

On the same day, Chen visited Cardinal Konrad Krajewski, the head of the Office of Papal Charities, and handed over $35,081 (RM159,092) to support the works of papal charities, specifically emergency relief efforts in Ukraine.

Cardinal Krajewski who visited Ukraine on behalf of Pope Francis thanked the government and people of Taiwan for offering aid to the Ukrainian people on numerous occasions. Chen also visited some of the other Catholic charity organisations and handed over funds for assisting Ukrainians. -- ucanews.com