to the role of the Apostolic College in the Church. This College or Corpus Episcopalis , is based on the

choice made by Jesus with the Twelve Apostles, whose heirs are the Pontiff of Rome and the Bishops

of the entire world. In the Council of Jerusalem, the Apostolic College, courageously led the Church

on the route to universality’.

After the Second Vatican Council, the Apostolic College, proved in a clear and concrete manner,

this universal aperture, through periodical meetings of the Synod of Bishops, and the visits of the

Roman Pontiff to the various churches around the world.

The Corpus Episcopalis, per se, expresses clearly its masculine and vigorous character, also because it is

managed only by men, who enrich it with their personal characteristics. For example, this collegiality is not

without tensions; the most obvious is the tension between universality and locality. I shall not linger at

length on this subject, also because the Synod of Bishops which is being held in Rome at the moment, is

discussing the very subject of the Episcopal ministry, and, as we have heard, is also discussing the issue

of these tensions.

As instructed by divine knowledge, in the eighth chapter of the Lumen Gentium, we come across the

subject of: "The Blessed Virgin Mary Mother of God, in the mystery of Christ and of the Church".

In this chapter it is stated that Mary expresses the female and gentle aspect of the Church. This female

dimension needs to become integrated with the masculine and vigorous one of the Apostolic College.

Chinese tradition gives great importance to the "way of Taichi" (way of the absolute), meaning the harmonious

merging of the Ying and Yang elements (feminine - masculine / shadow - light / negative- positive). For this

reason in Taiwan, ‘encultured ecclesiology,’ aims at the harmonious integration of the hierarchical-

collegial dimension of the Church with the Marian one.

I believe that this is what the Swiss theologian Balthasar meant when he spoke of the Peter’s principle

and the Marian one in the Church, and also of their respective roles.

In Luke’s gospel we can find this principle expressed implicitly: "… Jesus went on journeying from one

city or village to another, preaching and spreading the good news of God’s kingdom. With Him were the

twelve apostles, and certain women…who ministered to Him with the means they had." (Lk 8,1-3)

The Apostles and the women, in Jesus’ missionary community, played a specific and irreplaceable role.

It is necessary, within the framework of the Universal Church, for the Episcopal College to become

harmonized and integrated with the lay people.

It is they who constitute the Marian dimension of the Church. The Bishops all over the world need their unity

of prayer, their reception in the faith, the support of their charity, and also the contribution of their advice and

ideas. This is what harmony of Yang and Ying means .

According to Balthasar, the Marian principle, is widely shared and operative today among the faithful.

The Catholic Church of Taiwan places its expectations in this. The Chinese Church in fact, is very

devout to Mary. An encultured ecclesiology cannot ignore this precious resource, so as to channel it and

transform it into a harmonious, creative and operative force within the Church.