Vatican City, Jan 22, 2011 / 14:59 pm
The new "number two" at the Vatican's Evangelization office – who will be ordained an archbishop by Pope Benedict next month – said on Jan. 21 that he hopes to be "an instrument in building bridges” with China, his native country.
Fr. Savio Hon Tai-Fai's remarks came in his presentation to the Vatican's Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples. He was appointed as secretary of the department on Dec. 23 and arrived in the office on Jan. 21 for his first day.
The congregation's own Fides news agency spoke with him during the presentations. Fr. Hon Tai-Fai first thanked Pope Benedict XVI for choosing him and "especially for the attention and the love he shows towards Asia and China in particular."
He also expressed his gratitude to the head of the department, Cardinal Ivan Dias, for his warm reception, remarking on the positive atmosphere within the congregation. He said he looks forward to working with so many experts in international missions.