TAIPEI (UCAN) -- The bishops of Taiwan have expressed hope the new government will help improve the island's economy and boost social justice.

Ma Ying-jeou's victory in the election on March 22, the eve of Easter, completed the return to power of the Kuomintang (KMT, Nationalist Party), which regained control of the legislature in January from the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP).

Outgoing President Chen Shui-bian's victory in the 2000 presidential election, on a DPP platform promoting independence for Taiwan, had ended the KMT's uninterrupted rule of the island from 1949. However, Taiwan's stagnant economy and corruption allegations against Chen's family drove many DPP supporters to the KMT.

Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan of Taipei, president of the Chinese Regional Bishops' Conference in Taiwan, told UCA News on March 25 that the bishops would not discuss matters relating to the election at their March 24-28 spring plenary meeting.

"The election is over and its result will not affect the Catholic Church in Taiwan," the Divine Word prelate explained.

Bishops from all seven dioceses in Taiwan are meeting in Kaohsiung, southern Taiwan. A major item on the plenary agenda is the celebration of the Pauline Year, which will start on June 28, and next year's 150th anniversary of the inception of Catholicism in Taiwan.

Archbishop Hung said he believes president-elect Ma's advocacy of a cross-strait "common market" will benefit Taiwan by creating more job opportunities. "His mainland-friendly strategy could help Taiwan's economy and improve people's livelihood. At least it will save money not used to buy weapons," he added.

Ma, 57, is not a practicing Catholic, though he was baptized, but his upright attitude toward work is consistent with Church teachings, some local Catholics told UCA News. He will formally be sworn in May 20, when Chen completes his second four-year term.

Bishop Thomas Chung An-zu of Chiayi, southwestern Taiwan, "regrets" Ma does not go to church but acknowledges the president-elect seems to recognize the Church's education and charity work.

"The Church doesn't need privileges from the new government. It needs only continued space to evangelize so it can make further efforts to develop pastoral activities," Bishop Chung told UCA News.

Prior to the election, the bishops urged all Catholics in Taiwan to pray for a peaceful and fair election, and Chrism Masses on March 20, Holy Thursday, included this intention, he said.

The Church respects democracy and supports the newly elected government leaders but will watch over the government's policies, Bishop Chung noted, promising that "if any government policy contradicts Catholic doctrine, we, as God's faithful, will speak out."

Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, retired bishop of Kaohsiung, expressed hope Ma will devote himself to the people, regardless of ethnicity or political affiliation, according to a March 23 report in United Daily News, a Taiwan newspaper.

The 84-year-old Jesuit cardinal said grassroots people have increasingly found it difficult to find jobs in recent years and the poverty gap in Taiwan has widened. In the report he urges the president-elect to respect the needs of the disadvantaged such as workers, peasants and indigenous people.

He hopes Ma will promote relations with the mainland and international peace, the report also said.

Some lay leaders told UCA News their expectations for the new president.

Liao Wen-tung, chairperson of Chiayi Council for Laity Apostolate, pointed to Taiwan's high unemployment rate, especially among youths, after many factories and businesses moved to the mainland. The public thus has high expectations for Ma's leadership to bring a better economy and future, he said.

Philip Wong, head of Kaohsiung diocese's laity apostolate council, hopes the new government will serve the good of the society and people. In a spirit of optimism for Taiwan's future, he added, Catholics should follow Jesus' teachings to become a voice of justice and truth in society.

Ma told a press conference after his victory that he has heard people's calls for economic prosperity, political stability, social harmony and peace on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.

Ma and running mate Vincent Siew garnered 58.4 percent of the vote compared to 41.6 percent for DPP candidate Frank Hsieh Chang-ting, former prime minister, and his partner, Su Tseng-chang. Officially, 13,221,609 people voted in Taiwan's fourth direct presidential election.

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