Beigang’s Chaotian Temple in Yunlin is celebrating its 330th anniversary with a series of Mazu diplomatic journeys. Temple head Tsai Yong-de and his team departed on Sept. 19 to visit the Vatican, where they met with Pope Francis and presented him with gold and jade Mazu artworks. The gift represents a historic meeting of Holy Mothers from the East and West.
Tsai Yong-de of the Beigang Chaotian Temple personally presents a golden Mazu figurine to Pope Francis, symbolizing a meeting between the eastern Goddess Mazu and the Christian Virgin Mary, bridging thousands of miles.
Tsai Yong-de
Beigang Temple
The union of Eastern and Western Holy Mothers means that the Mazu of Chaotian Temple will soon take residence in the Vatican. Though presented as an artwork, it is hoped that love and peace can truly be realized through this gesture.
The diplomatic journey successfully established a bridge of friendship between Taiwan’s Mazu and the Virgin Mary, opening a door for Taiwan’s religious beliefs on the international stage.
Tsai Yong-de
Beigang Temple
It’s truly moving, as both the Pope and Mazu embody compassion and kindness. I can feel a warm sense of love and its power. Next time, I hope to bring important Taiwanese temples and groups along to step onto the international stage together.
With the assistance of the Taiwan Conference on Religion and Peace, the Beigang Chaotian Temple team journeyed to the Vatican to meet Pope Francis. They presented a gold Mazu statue weighing about 38g, valued at nearly NT$150,000, along with a jade Mazu artwork as part of the commemorative exchange.
The Virgin Mary of Catholicism and our Mazu from Beigang’s Chaotian Temple represent the exchange between different religious realms.
Member of public
The Western and Eastern traditions can unite, showing that religion is one family.
The Beigang Chaotian Temple has taken a historic step by traveling to the Vatican to showcase Mazu, in a uniquely Taiwanese display of religious diplomacy.
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