教宗強調台灣教會慶祝開教一百五十週年代表了一個更為強化教會內的每一位彼此間更合而為一，更與主基督合而為一的機會，因為藉此你們推動了同一個從宗徒傳下來的教會。
教宗還勉勵主教們要持續關心維繫家庭價值的政策與社會關懷的工作，尤其要保護家庭價值免於破壞。家庭是傳遞信仰的基礎。教宗也肯定主教們推動關心移工（外籍勞工）權益的國家政策，認為這樣的關懷符合教會的主張。
關於台灣教會與中國大陸的關係，教宗認為，台灣的教會以及基督信徒們是個活見證，讓人看見在一個符合公理正義的社會裡面，當一個好教友同時又是個好公民是無需心懷恐懼的。因此，教宗說，他祈禱，做為大中華天主教大家庭的一員，你們要持續在精神上與大陸的教友們合而為一。
官方版翻譯應該明後天會出現在教廷網站。
教廷這次的新聞稿非常特別的地方是，用＂Taiwanese Episcopal Conference ＂台灣主教團來稱呼，過去教廷國務院是以Chinese Regional Bishop's Conference(CRBC)稱呼台灣的主教團，當然這個名詞和台灣的主教團過去叫做：「中國主教團」，可是又不能代表全中國有關。改成＂Taiwanese Episcopal Conference ＂很巧妙地避免掉政治問題，因為＂Taiwanese －台灣的，Episcopal－主教的 Conference會議 ＂兩個形容詞來形容這個組織。然後又符合台灣本土的事實與民意觀感。
同時，用大中華天主教家庭的一員（part of the great Chinese Catholic family），又符合中共對於兩岸的認定，可是文化上也不會讓台灣的民眾覺得反感。有智慧！馬英九要是有這麼聰明就好了。
VATICAN CITY, 12 DEC 2008 (VIS) - The Holy Father received the bishops of the Taiwanese Episcopal Conference this morning at the end of their "ad limina" visit.
In the speech addressed to them the Pope emphasized that the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Catholic Evangelization in Taiwan represented "an occasion to manifest ever more eagerly your oneness with each other and with our Lord as you together promote the Church's common apostolate".
"This unity of mind and heart", he continued, "is evidenced by your desire to cooperate more closely in spreading the Gospel among non-believers and forming those already initiated into the Church through Baptism and Confirmation. I am pleased to note that you continue to coordinate a variety of institutions for this purpose, with due emphasis on the parish, the 'prime mover and pre-eminent place for catechesis'".
Speaking then of the needs of priests and catechists, the Pope recalled that the programs of priestly formation should be "designed with due consideration for the variety of ages, life conditions and duties found among your clergy" and asked that the catechists be furnished '"with the necessary resources so that they may follow the example of Jesus in speaking the truth straightforwardly and in a way readily accessible to all".
"Effective catechesis inevitably builds stronger families, which in turn give birth to new priestly vocations. . Parents, pastors, teachers, parish leaders, and all the members of the Church must set before young people the radical decision to follow Christ, so that in finding him, they find themselves".
Benedict XVI referred to the recent pastoral letter of his episcopate, "Social Concern and Evangelization", which "underscores the Church's need to engage actively in the promotion of family life". "Your deep concern for the good of families and society as a whole", he said, "moves you to assist couples in preserving the indissolubility of their marital promises. Never tire in promoting just civil legislation and policies that protect the sacredness of marriage. Safeguard this sacrament from all that can harm it, especially the deliberate taking of life in its most vulnerable stages".
"The Church's solicitude for the weak similarly compels her to give special attention to migrants. In several recent pastoral letters, you have indicated the essential role of the parish in serving migrants and raising awareness of their needs. I am also pleased to note that the Church in Taiwan has been actively advocating laws and policies that protect the human rights of migrants. As you know, many of those who arrive on your shores not only share in the fullness of the Catholic communion, but also carry with them the unique cultural heritage of their respective places of origin. I encourage you to continue welcoming them with affection so that they may receive the assiduous pastoral care that will assure them of their belonging to the 'family of the faith'".
"Your apostolic bond with the Successor of Peter entails a pastoral responsibility for the universal Church across the globe. This particularly means, in your case, a loving concern for Catholics on the mainland, whom I constantly hold in prayer. You and the Christian faithful in Taiwan are a living sign that, in a justly ordered society, one need not fear to be a faithful Catholic and a good citizen. I pray that as part of the great Chinese Catholic family, you will continue to be spiritually united with your brethren on the mainland".
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