Columban Fr Ryu Sunjong with shelter residents at the Hope Workers’ Center in Taiwan. Photo: Hope Workers’ Center Taiwan
Every year, thousands of migrant workers arrive in Taiwan, leaving behind their families and familiar surroundings in search of a livelihood. They come from the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and other parts of Asia, often with hope in their hearts but also with fear of exploitation and uncertainty. For many, their experience in Taiwan is not just about employment - it is about survival, dignity and faith.
At the heart of this mission is Columban Fr Nguyen Van Hung, Director of the Vietnamese Migrant Workers and Immigrants Office (VMWIO). For more than two decades, Fr Hung has been a tireless advocate for migrants, accompanying them spiritually, socially and emotionally. His ministry encompasses three essential areas: pastoral care, social services and adult mental health support.
As Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Assumption in Bade, Taoyuan, Fr Hung ministers to a diverse parish where the pews are filled with the faces of migrants far from home. He celebrates the Eucharist, administers the sacraments and is a source of comfort to those who long for connection. Beyond the parish, he serves as a Migrants Chaplain in the Hsinchu Diocese, reaching out to migrant communities scattered across the region. Sunday masses, catechesis, retreats and leadership seminars become more than liturgical functions - they are lifelines for workers who find a sense of belonging and dignity in faith. The Gospel becomes real in these gatherings, reminding migrants that their struggles are seen, their lives valued and their future held in God’s hands.
Fr Hung’s mission goes well beyond the sanctuary. As Director of the VMWIO, he leads a team of eight staff members who work daily with migrants experiencing injustice. Whether it is unpaid wages, physical or sexual abuse, human trafficking, or unlawful deductions, the office stands as an advocate and a refuge. The VMWIO provides temporary shelter to those who have been abused, including pregnant women and victims of trafficking. Many arrive traumatised, uncertain of their next steps. In these moments, the office becomes not just a safe house but a beacon of hope.
The advocacy does not stop at immediate care. Fr Hung and his team engage with local NGOs, legislators and human rights advocates in Taiwan and Vietnam. They campaign for legal reforms that will protect workers and speak out on issues of environmental justice, recognising that migrant workers are often among the most affected by ecological degradation. He also coordinates the work of the three diocesan offices serving migrants and immigrants, ensuring their combined efforts reflect the Church’s mission of compassion and justice.
Vietnamese Migrant Workers and Immigrants Office of the Catholic Church in Taiwan celebrates the New Year with joy, care, and a shared sense of home. Photo: Fr Nguyen Van Hung SSC
The isolation and stress faced by migrant workers can take a heavy toll on mental health. Recognising this reality, Fr Hung has developed programs for adult mental health, organising seminars for migrant leaders and providing psychotherapy himself. His ministry extends to parishioners, priests and religious sisters who also turn to him for support. “Pastoral care cannot be separated from psychological care,” he explains. “When people carry wounds in their minds and hearts, the Gospel message of hope can only reach them if we also help them heal from within.”
Columban lay missionary, Jhoanna (Jao) Resari, from the Philippines, works part-time with the Hsinchu Diocese Migrants Chaplains Office, coordinating a ministry across the diocese that addresses one of the most sensitive challenges among migrants: HIV and AIDS. As the Coordinator of the Agape Centre for HIV Education and Outreach Ministry, Jao leads prevention, education and pastoral care efforts. Many migrant workers face conditions of vulnerability that increase their risk of infection. The Centre provides HIV prevention training, distributes self-test kits and accompanies those living with HIV. In collaboration with priests, pastoral coordinators, NGOs and lay leaders, Jao works to dismantle stigma and build communities of acceptance and care. “HIV is not only a medical issue,” Jao notes. “It is also about dignity, justice and compassion. Our mission is to ensure no one feels abandoned by illness or prejudice.”
Looking to the future, another dimension of mission is taking root. In July 2025, Columban lay missionary Febie Gonzales, from the Philippines, began her ministry in Biodiversity Restoration and Protection. Inspired by Pope Francis’s encyclical Laudato Si’, she plans to form a network of Laudato Si’ animators in Taiwan and to lead activities during the Church’s annual Season of Creation (September 1 to October 4). Her work will include building connections with NGOs, researching Taiwan’s environmental challenges and developing grassroots education initiatives. From urban greening projects to diocesan training, Febie hopes to awaken ecological awareness and action within migrant and local communities. “Caring for migrants and caring for creation are not separate missions,” she reflects. “Both are about protecting life, dignity and the future of our shared home.”
Together, these ministries - pastoral care, social protection, mental health, HIV education and ecological advocacy - paint a portrait of a Church deeply engaged in today’s realities. For Fr Hung, the call is simple but demanding: to witness to the God of compassion and justice. “The Gospel is lived on the margins,” he says. “When we stand with the poor, the vulnerable, the sick and the Earth itself, we proclaim the Kingdom of God.”
In Taiwan, the mission of the Columbans and their collaborators continues to evolve. With each Mass celebrated, each worker sheltered, each law challenged and each tree planted, the Church becomes what it is called to be: a community of hope. For migrants who arrive uncertain and afraid, the presence of people like Fr Hung, Jao and Febie reminds them that God has not forgotten them. In their struggles, they find a family of faith, solidarity and love.
Listen to "Standing with migrants and creation in Taiwan"
Related links
- Read more from The Far East - November/December 2025
