Foreign religious workers to be cited for charity contributions

“With an average working experience in Taiwan of 37 years, these foreign religious workers have come to see Taiwan as their second home and devoted their time and energy to charitable works, with or without recognition. Truly, I can say that they love Taiwan more than some of us do,” said Interior Minister Lee Yi-yang in a press conference Wednesday.

The last time fathers, nuns and physicians, who come from various countries, churches and organizations were commended was 10 years ago, he said.

Most of those to be commended have been performing medical, educational and humanitarian works in small towns throughout Taiwan, including Syuejia, Tainan County; Alishan, Chiayi County; and Miaoli City.

Three of these devoted persons — Father Donald J. McGinnis, Father Brendan O‘Connell and Sister Gloria Joan Watts — attended the press conference and shared their stories of their time in Taiwan. Watts, who first came to Taiwan in 1956, helped establish the first and only 24-hour clinic in Alishan, and St. Martin De Porres Hospital, where she now serves as president, in Chiayi City. Brendan O‘Connell has spent 52 years in Taiwan and was widely regarded as one of the pioneers of Taiwan‘s special education.

McGinnis, who came to Taiwan in 1953 and speaks fluent Hakka, Hoklo and Mandarin, described Hakka people and culture as his “first love.” He spoke of his unique experience of being expelled from Taiwan by the Kuomintang government, and later from China by the Chinese government.

Of the 80 religious workers, more than half came from the U.S. while 10 each came from France and Switzerland. The others came from Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, Finland, Japan, Spain, U.K., Congo, the Philippines and the Netherlands.