Opus Dei is a Catholic institution founded by St Josemaria Escriva. Its mission is to help people turn their work and daily activities into occasions for growing closer to God, for serving others, and for improving society. In 1982, Opus Dei was made into a personal prelature with its own Bishop. Currently, Opus Dei has about 87,000 members, 98 per cent of which are lay people, in over 90 different countries. I still remember the fondness shown by members of St George Preca's MUSEUM society to the teaching of Opus Dei's founder, as evidence from the frequent quotes uttered in their "sajdiet" and readers could do worse than obtaining such a volume to fortify them in life's travails.

We take our religious freedom so much for granted. I was happy when time permitted me to attend one of the Opus Dei meetings held at Ta' Lapsi Church in St Julians a few months ago. The location is in front of the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, that communist- ruled country in which religious freedom still is not allowed. This reminded me of the fortunate situation of people across the straits from mainland China in Taiwan, where though little news filters locally, there is a thriving free society, with multiparty democracy and where Catholics, Christians, Buddhists and other religions are allowed freedom to perform their works of mercy, teaching and recruitment. Religious leaders are allowed to visit at will and Chinese adherents to these religions may acknowledge a "foreigner" as the head of their religion or religious organisation with no interference from the state.

A case in point is that of Bishop Echevarria, Prelate of Opus Dei, who made his second pastoral visit to Taiwan earlier this year in April. The first one dates back to 1996. During his stay, the Prelate expressed both his admiration for the development of the Catholic Church in Taiwan and his concerns for the Catholic Church in mainland China, and reassured faithful on the prayers that all the members of the large family of Opus Dei are saying for the future development of China.

Bishop Echevarria attended the general get-together of Opus Dei faithful held at the International Conference Hall of the Taipei Youth Centre where he reminded those present of their divine calling to pursue sanctity in the middle of their ordinary life, urging them to be a Tabernacle for Christ and souls of prayers. According to Bishop Echevarria, the constant challenge for the lay faithful is to work together with all people of good will in order to promote and develop a culture which respects human dignity.

Over 300 people attended the above meeting, in a country where Catholics are a minority that enjoy true religious freedom in contrast to mainland China where the Communist rulers to this day do not allow true religious freedom and, in fact, several Catholic Bishops, priests and lay people are under house arrest or in concentration camps. This in stark contrast to what we in the European Union take for granted. I still cherish memories of an Opus Dei priest who was stationed as a chaplain at a catering school in Palermo - who even in the hot August sun was in long-flowing clerical garb - awaiting to cross to Gozo a few years ago and with whom I could freely converse and not be afraid, as Chinese mainlanders are, of being noted and turned in for associating with an ordained priest.

Let us not forget those suffering from the faith and imprisoned not for any violent crime but for trying to live according to their religious convictions which might be perceived as a challenge by the modem enslavers, those who desire to turn people into "units of labour" and not allow them freedom.