TAIPEI, Taiwan - At the beginning of the new year, during which the Church of Taiwan celebrates the 150th anniversary of the country's evangelization, the regional bishops' conference is inviting the Catholic community of the island to look to the example of St. Paul.

In their pastoral letter for the new year, the Taiwanese bishops are looking with concern at the 'social unrest' of the island. Corruption, fighting among the political class, and the global economic crisis 'deepen the miseries and disappointments of people.' In the face of this situation, they say that 'to reconcile with God, reconcile with nature, and reconcile with one another is the path we must walk.'

Recalling the words of Benedict XVI, on the occasion of the bishops' recent ad limina visit to Rome, the bishops reiterate for the faithful that the pope 'constantly prays for the Church in China.' 'We should encourage the multitude of laity in mainland China by our own experiences.' For the bishops, greater freedom of movement is an opportunity to 'support the formation of consecrated people in China and the numerous laity so that their relationship with the Universal Church will be enhanced.'