VATICAN CITY, JAN 11 (ZENIT).- Archbishop Paul Josef Cordes, president of the Pontifical Council "Cor Unum," will be conferred the Order of the Brilliant Star, one of Taiwan's highest awards. The award will be presented to the German Archbishop by Lee Teng-hui, President of Taiwan. An official press statement declares that the honor is given "in recognition of the work carried out by Cor Unum throughout the world to support the human and Christian development of peoples and the work of different organization in this area."

    Archbishop Cordes will visit Taiwan from January 11-18. While there, he will also go to areas devastated by the earthquake that struck on September 21 of last year, principally the zone of Taichung. The work of the entire Church in China, and of local Churches worldwide to reconstruct the country has the profound gratitude of the government and people of Taiwan.

    According to an official statement distributed by the Vatican Press Office, Archbishop Cordes will express John Paul II's closeness to those who were affected by the earthquake and to the 300,000 Catholics of the Island.

    Archbishop Cordes will also receive a doctorate "honoris causa" from Fu Jen University of Taipei. Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi, President of the Chinese Regional Episcopal Conference, will attend this academic ceremony, during which Archbishop Cordes will speak on inculturation -- one of the major topics of the Synod of Bishops for Asia. ZE00011104