Austin Ou Chinjen (right) and Father Mbwi Khohi (Photo supplied)
Austin Ou Chinjen, a former CEO of the Taiwan Catholic Mission Foundation (TCMF), is helping the Australian Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta to establish a sub-mission in Taiwan.
The Order of Malta is a Catholic lay religious order formed in Jerusalem more than 900 years ago to assist the poor and now employees 25,000 doctors, nurses, auxiliaries and paramedics assisted by 120,000 volunteers in 120 countries.
It is headquartered in Rome.
The TCMF was founded in Taiwan in 1999 by a group of lay Catholic professionals.
Their objective was to preach Christ’s charity by providing relief for social emergencies and assistance for the disadvantaged.
During his service in the foundation, Ou established 45 child-care stations in Taiwan and abroad.
The Order of Malta, Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan of Taipei and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Sydney supported Ou’s efforts to set up the Taiwan sub-branch.
In doing so he has been assisted by Father Mbwi Khohi, from the Congo, who worked with Ou in the Taiwan Catholic Mission Foundation.
Ou invited Father Khohi to be the spiritual director of the Taiwan sub-mission of the Order of Malta.
They are planning to organize member gatherings once a month as well as Masses and spiritual seminars.
Until now, five Catholics have applied for membership.
Ou said only those who are willing to dedicate their professional expertise to assist vulnerable communities would be accepted.