President Ma Ying-jeou has conferred the Order of Brilliant Star on 12 foreign members of the clergy who have dedicated their lives to helping the people of Taiwan.
At a ceremony on Monday, President Ma spoke about their contributions.
“Coming here today to be with so many members of the clergy in the run up to Christmas, and conferring this honor upon them as an expression of gratitude and admiration, is an honor for me as well. In my role as president of the Republic of China, I represent the people of our nation in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to all of you," said Ma.
One of the honorees was a 92-year-old Catholic priest from Holland, Fr. Anthony Pierrot. He came to Taiwan 60 years ago to help set up St. Joseph’s Hospital in Huwei Township, Yunlin County. Known by the locals as the “father of Huwei”, he also helped establish the St. Joseph’s Social Welfare Foundation. Fr. Pierrot was chosen to speak on Monday on behalf of the 12 honorees.
“I never thought I’d be chosen to speak, but I would like to represent everyone in thanking our president for giving us this big honor," said Fr. Pierrot.
Fr. Pierrot is not the oldest of the clergy members who were honored on Monday. That distinction went to Fr. Georges Etienne Beauregard from Canada. He is 102 years old this year, and for the last 68 years has been caring for elderly, sick and poor people in the remote township of Nan’ao in Ilan County, northeastern Taiwan.