TAIPEI (UCAN) — Reflections by priests on their pilgrimage experiences in Turkey will be published into a book as a means of evangelization during the Year for Priests.

Clergy from Taiwan at a pilgrimage site in Turkey — UCAN Photo

Bishop Thomas Chung An-zu of Chiayi and 20 priests working in Taiwan visited Turkey June 28-July 11.

Jesuit Father Mark Fang Chih-jung, spiritual director during the pilgrimage, said the trip, along the route that Saint Paul took in what was then Asia Minor, was especially meaningful for the priests as this was where Saint Paul did most of his evangelizing.

He said that participants have been asked to write reflections on their experiences. These will be published into a book, illustrated with photos.

“Such reflections are helpful for the priests and also are a good means of evangelization during the Year for Priests,” Father Fang said.

“Though Turkey is an Islamic country, it is a significant place for Catholics too, as the early Church was planted and developed there,” said the 83-year-old theologian.

Visiting the beginnings of the early Church with priests from all seven dioceses of Taiwan, some of whom are Koreans, Vietnamese and mainland-born clergy, helped him to experience the universality of the Church, he said.

During the trip, he encouraged his fellow priests to model themselves after Saint Paul, not to fear challenges to evangelization and to build up the Church, he added.

Father Joseph Huang Ching-fu, executive secretary of the Commission for the Clergy of the Taiwan bishop’s conference, said it was the first time for clergy in Taiwan to undertake such a pilgrimage to Turkey. It aimed to refresh their knowledge of the Church and to celebrate the closing of the Year of Saint Paul and the opening of the Year for Priests.

June 29 concluded the Pauline Year, a year marking the 2,000th birth anniversary of Saint Paul. It overlapped with the start of the Year for Priests on June 19. Pope Benedict XVI promulgated both years.

“The apostles of the early Church were in a dangerous environment, without freedom. It was not easy for them to keep their faith but yet they managed to do so,” said Father Huang, who is also rector of the Taiwan Catholic Regional Seminary.

Priests celebrating Mass outdoors in Turkey — UCAN Photo

“We as priests should learn to persevere as Saint Paul did, who gave his life for evangelization,” he added.

Sharing his pilgrimage experience, Father Antonius Kuo noted how in Turkey, Catholics are a minority and “are unable to evangelize very openly” even though the “government allows religious freedom.”

In contrast, though Taiwan enjoys freedom of religion, Father Kuo said he is worried about the declining number of local priestly vocations.

Tour guide Chang Shu-tseng, the only layperson in the pilgrimage, said she felt nervous preparing for the trip “as the clergy were more familiar with the Bible” than she was.

Throughout the trip, Chang said she noted the priests’ earnest attitude in “jotting down notes and taking pictures and videos at sites,” and how the young priests looked after the older ones.