Pope Francis is at the centre of a new national television series that began airing in Taiwan on April 16. Entitled “Oh My God – Hello Pope!”, it was developed by Jesuit-run Kuangchi Program Service (KPS) which believes this is the first weekly TV series in Asia about the pope.
KPS held a preview showing of the weekly series, which in Chinese is called “Hello Pope!”, at its Taipei studios on April 9, a week ahead of its official opening broadcast by Dongfeng Satellite TV station.
In addition to presenting the values, priorities, and goals of Pope Francis to the Taiwanese audience, “Oh My God” introduces various social and pastoral services of the church in Taiwan, said KPS director Jessica Chuang Li-hung.
“The efforts of dedicated priests, religious, and lay people throughout Taiwan echo the appeals and values of the pope. We strive, through our program series, to connect the spiritual guidance coming from the Vatican with concrete social issues and needs here in Taiwan, and to show the beauty and goodness of the Catholic faith to the public.””It is KPS’ desire to present to all viewers the many moving and inspiring stories happening in the Church today in every corner of Taiwan,” she said.
KPS vice director Fr Jerry Martinson SJ explained how the series got its name. During an audience with Pope Francis last year, KPS’ Fr Emilio Zanetti SJ presented to the Pope a DVD containing KPS documentaries on Church missionary history in China already broadcast widely throughout China. When Fr Zanetti told the pope that KPS was preparing a TV series about the pope himself, Pope Francis exclaimed “Oh my God!” thereby confirming the name of the series.
Each episode runs for 30 minutes and Fr Martinson hosts the series along with two young Taiwanese co-hosts. The series is funded by donations from all the dioceses in Taiwan, along with support from the Taiwan government.
The Jesuits in Taiwan founded Kuangchi Audio Recording Service in 1958 to produce radio programs. It started producing TV programs and documentaries in 1961 and is well known locally for its educational and children’s TV programs. [UCAN with corrections]
