We take our religious freedom so much for granted. I was happy when time permitted me to attend one of the Opus Dei meetings held at Ta’ Lapsi Church in St Julian’s a few months ago. A location in front of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, that communist-ruled country where religious freedom still is not allowed. This reminded me that, fortunately, locally there is a thriving free society, with a multi-party democracy and Catholics, Christians, Buddhists and people of other religions allowed freedom to perform their works of mercy, teaching and recruitment. And religious leaders are allowed to visit at will, and adherents to these religions may acknowledge a ‘foreigner’ as the head of their religion or religious organisations with no interference from the state.

A case in point is that of Bishop Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei, who made his second pastoral visit to Taiwan earlier this year in April. During his stay, the Prelate expressed both his admiration for the development of the Catholic Church in Taiwan and his concerns for the Catholic Church in Mainland China, and reassured the faithful about the prayers that all the members of the large family of Opus Dei are saying for the future development of China.

Bishop Echevarria attended the general get-together of Opus Dei faithful held at the International Conference Hall of the Taipei Youth Centre where he reminded those present of their divine calling to pursue sanctity in the middle of their ordinary life, urging them to be a Tabernacle of Christ and souls of prayer. According to the Opus Dei’s Bishop Echevarria, the constant challenge for the lay faithful is to work together with all people of good will in order to promote and develop a culture which respects human dignity. Over 300 people attended the meeting, in a country where Catholics are a minority who enjoy true religious freedom, in contrast with mainland China where to this day the Communist government does not allow true religious freedom and in fact several Catholic bishops, priests and lay people are under house arrest.

Opus Dei is a Catholic institution founded by Saint Josemaria Escriva. It has about 87,000 members, 98 per cent of whom are lay people, in over 90 countries. I still remember the fondness shown by members of St George Preca's MUSEUM society to the teaching of Opus Dei's founder, as evidenced by the frequent quotes uttered in their sajdiet.

Joseph G. Bonett

Ghajnsielem