Dolls for Children!

College students at the theological school also have times when they step out of the classroom to explore and learn. Before graduation, they must complete a certain number of pastoral internships and social service internships to apply what they've learned in their daily lives. Students first need to propose internship plans to their mentors, and after actual implementation, they return to school to share their learning experiences. Su Huiqun, a student, shares his experience of interning at Rerum Novarum Center.

In the past, when it came to foreign migrant workers, people often thought of Thai laborers, Filipino domestic helpers, Vietnamese brides, and Chinese spouses. It was during this internship at Rerum Novarum Center that I learned that currently, 80-90% of foreign migrant fishermen in Taiwan are actually from Indonesia. The policies on importing migrant workers are closely related to the economic capabilities of each country. Where they can earn more money, that's where people go.

During the internship, there was an opportunity to visit six docks in the northeastern corner and visit Indonesian fishermen living near the docks. Rerum Novarum Center holds events for migrant workers during festivals, and this year, for the Dragon Boat Festival, we gave them dolls so they could send them back to their distant children. Fishermen who spend most of their year away from their families can't be with their loved ones, but sending a doll from afar shows their care. One migrant worker even kept a doll for himself so that he could sleep with the same doll as his child every night, as if the child were right there with him. He spoke calmly, but it was deeply moving, showing the homesickness of migrant workers who have left their hometowns and willingly sacrificed for their families.

A new migrant worker expressed his grievances at work. When they go out to sea, they have to take turns cooking, which adds to the already hard work of fishing. Nobody wants to do the cooking, and the employer thought of encouraging it by increasing the allowance. However, everyone still avoided it as much as possible. This worker was reluctantly assigned the task, feeling bitter inside, but he was worried that complaining to the employer might affect future employment. In addition, there's a language barrier, making it even more challenging. Rerum Novarum workers first communicate to understand the situation as much as possible, offering comfort or appropriate advice. For example, taking turns to cook may have been a long-standing practice, not necessarily something the employer did to make things difficult. The new worker hasn't fully adapted to the environment; has he asked for help from his colleagues to express his concerns? Suggest delaying it for a while before taking on the responsibility? It's essential not to judge who's right or wrong.

What is pastoral care? For example, giving each other more time to tell their stories, accompanying each other to cleanse their hearts through listening, and finding their voices again. We listened to the grievances of the fishermen about their workplace, providing them with an outlet for emotional release and creating opportunities for dialogue between employers and migrant workers. Through the multiple listening and observations during the internship, I deeply realized that any issue stems from various factors, so solving one thing requires thinking from multiple perspectives. Different roles have different perspectives and feelings about the matter.

In response to my understanding of the Doctrine of the Mean (Zhongyong), "not leaning too much to one side is called 'middle,' not moving too much is called 'constant.'" The Doctrine of the Mean is not biased toward one end, but it is also not like sophistry, merely achieving surface balance. It is an unbiased stance. Therefore, learning to see things from the perspective of God, listening broadly, and promoting dialogue while considering multiple perspectives is the way of the Doctrine of the Mean. Jesus reminds us not to judge (see Matthew 7:1), which means this.

Fu Jen students have stepped out of the classroom during the scorching summer, working hard at various internships, seizing the opportunity to reflect on and integrate what they have learned in class with practical service. Father Chang Chun-Shen once said, "Theologians are born on their knees!" This illustrates the importance of "knowledge and action as one." I wish every brother and sister in the church could rise up and live out their faith in reality. Theology is indeed very practical!

[Originally published in the Catholic Weekly on September 17, 2023]