Tzu Chi's 60th Anniversary: Catholic Cardinal Visits Master Cheng Yen
As part of Tzu Chi Foundation's 60th-anniversary celebrations, Catholic Cardinal Peter Turkson visited Master Cheng Yen, emphasizing interfaith respect and cooperation. Discussions included aid for Middle Eastern refugees and educational/agricultural cooperation in Africa, highlighting joint efforts against global suffering.
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- 📰 Published: May 12, 2026 at 10:20
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Li Hsien-Feng, Hualien 12th) For Tzu Chi's 60th-anniversary events, representatives from multiple countries' religious and humanitarian organizations, including Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See Embassy Stefano Mazzotti, Father Peter Konteh of Caritas Sierra Leone, and others, gathered in Hualien for exchanges; despite different religious and cultural forms, there was mutual respect and gratitude.
The Tzu Chi Foundation released information stating that Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See Embassy Stefano Mazzotti, Father Peter Konteh of Caritas Sierra Leone, and representatives from the US Healy Foundation visited Master Cheng Yen in Hualien on the 11th.
Turkson extended his blessings to Master Cheng Yen. He stated that compassion is not an emotion but wisdom, and in Tzu Chi, he saw Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi volunteers promote human kindness with compassion. Compassion and love are shared core values, and the language of communication between them is great love and respect, allowing everyone to stand on the same platform and work together for the world.
Father Peter Konteh of Caritas Sierra Leone thanked Tzu Chi for providing resources and ngũ-kok-hún (mixed grain powder), which helps nourish malnourished children in Sierra Leone. Representatives from the US Healy Foundation also expressed feeling warmth in their interactions with Tzu Chi.
Susanna B. Afan, Chairperson of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, known as the "Asian Nobel Prize," expressed her high regard for Master Cheng Yen's long-term promotion of humanitarian aid and spiritual environmental protection. Susanna pointed out that Master Cheng Yen received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1991. Thirty-five years later, seeing Master Cheng Yen continue to lead Tzu Chi volunteers in their efforts, she hopes that the love of various religions can be connected to bring about world peace.
Daniel Yen, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation, stated, "We discussed assisting refugees in war-torn Middle Eastern areas, providing medical care, food, and psychological support, and also discussed cooperation in education and agriculture in Africa." Tzu Chi will continue to work hand in hand with like-minded organizations globally, regardless of religion or nationality, to provide immediate and long-term care for all suffering beings.
Master Cheng Yen shared that 60 years ago, Hualien lacked resources and had inconvenient transportation. Seeing the difficult lives of many poor families, she conceived the idea of helping suffering beings. Global suffering requires everyone's involvement; giving love can start with small things in daily life. A little effort each day can gather into a great force to help suffering beings.
Master Cheng Yen stated that in her long-standing interactions with religious figures from Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, and other faiths, she has always believed that everyone possesses a common good heart and love. Religion is only a different cultural form; as long as it is a righteous religion, it can teach people to be good and adhere to precepts, thus mutual respect and gratitude should be even greater. (Edited by Lee Heng-Shan) 1150512
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(Central News Agency reporter Li Hsien-Feng, Hualien 12th) For Tzu Chi's 60th-anniversary events, representatives from multiple countries' religious and humanitarian organizations, including Cardinal Peter Turkson, Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See Embassy Stefano Mazzotti, Father Peter Konteh of Caritas Sierra Leone, and others, gathered in Hualien for exchanges; despite different religious and cultural forms, there was mutual respect and gratitude.
The Tzu Chi Foundation released information stating that Cardinal Peter Turkson, President of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, Chargé d'Affaires of the Holy See Embassy Stefano Mazzotti, Father Peter Konteh of Caritas Sierra Leone, and representatives from the US Healy Foundation visited Master Cheng Yen in Hualien on the 11th.
Turkson extended his blessings to Master Cheng Yen. He stated that compassion is not an emotion but wisdom, and in Tzu Chi, he saw Master Cheng Yen and Tzu Chi volunteers promote human kindness with compassion. Compassion and love are shared core values, and the language of communication between them is great love and respect, allowing everyone to stand on the same platform and work together for the world.
Father Peter Konteh of Caritas Sierra Leone thanked Tzu Chi for providing resources and ngũ-kok-hún (mixed grain powder), which helps nourish malnourished children in Sierra Leone. Representatives from the US Healy Foundation also expressed feeling warmth in their interactions with Tzu Chi.
Susanna B. Afan, Chairperson of the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation, known as the "Asian Nobel Prize," expressed her high regard for Master Cheng Yen's long-term promotion of humanitarian aid and spiritual environmental protection. Susanna pointed out that Master Cheng Yen received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1991. Thirty-five years later, seeing Master Cheng Yen continue to lead Tzu Chi volunteers in their efforts, she hopes that the love of various religions can be connected to bring about world peace.
Daniel Yen, CEO of Tzu Chi Foundation, stated, "We discussed assisting refugees in war-torn Middle Eastern areas, providing medical care, food, and psychological support, and also discussed cooperation in education and agriculture in Africa." Tzu Chi will continue to work hand in hand with like-minded organizations globally, regardless of religion or nationality, to provide immediate and long-term care for all suffering beings.
Master Cheng Yen shared that 60 years ago, Hualien lacked resources and had inconvenient transportation. Seeing the difficult lives of many poor families, she conceived the idea of helping suffering beings. Global suffering requires everyone's involvement; giving love can start with small things in daily life. A little effort each day can gather into a great force to help suffering beings.
Master Cheng Yen stated that in her long-standing interactions with religious figures from Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, and other faiths, she has always believed that everyone possesses a common good heart and love. Religion is only a different cultural form; as long as it is a righteous religion, it can teach people to be good and adhere to precepts, thus mutual respect and gratitude should be even greater. (Edited by Lee Heng-Shan) 1150512
Choose to stand with facts; your sponsorship is the power to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency 'First-Hand News' APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and audio/video on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.