Selfless Italian priest wins prestigious Taiwan award for philanthropy
Selfless Italian priest wins prestigious Taiwan award for philanthropy
2026-10-12
Selfless Italian priest Father Giuseppe Didone has spent over 60 years in Taiwan caring for vulnerable people. This includes over a thousand children with severe physical or intellectual disabilities. Now he’s received one of Taiwan’s most prestigious philanthropic awards – the Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award. True to form, he doesn’t plan to spend any of the NT$30 million award money on himself. Let’s find out more.
At the age of 86, Father Giuseppe Didone walks slowly onto the stage to accept an honorary award. Despite his advanced age, he remains full of vitality whenever he speaks of his philanthropic mission; his words radiate a passionate dedication to serving the vulnerable.
Father Giuseppe Didone
Recipient of Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award
It has been over 40 years now that we have been caring for these children; their parents have always been grateful to us—our Catholic ministry—so I am very happy today.
After arriving in Taiwan in 1965, Father Didone, an Italian, has dedicated himself to caring for the disadvantaged in Penghu and Yilan. In 1987, he transformed an abandoned convent in Dayin Village, Sanxing Township, into the St. Camillus Center for Intellectual Disability, providing long-term shelter and care for over a thousand children with severe physical and intellectual disabilities. Sixteen years ago, he extended his compassionate mission to include long-term care and hospice services. This selfless dedication, spanning more than half a century, has honored him with the Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award this year. As for the NT$30 million prize money, Father Didone humorously remarked that it certainly wouldn’t be going into his own pockets.
Father Giuseppe Didone
Recipient of Y.L. Lin Taiwan Devotion Award
Not a single cent of this money will go into my own pockets; instead, it is specifically intended to support the St. Camillus Center for Intellectual Disability in Luodong. We are currently setting up a small workshop—a project costing tens of millions—and I am deeply grateful to this foundation for providing us with this opportunity.
Chan I-i
Selection committee member
Identifying everyone in the region who is in need—ensuring they can find the resources they require right here—and leading us to see the true value of it all: I believe that is the most meaningful thing.
Father Didone has dedicated over sixty years of service to Taiwan and remains deeply rooted in the local community through his selfless spirit. He serves as a source of the warmest and most steadfast support for remote areas and vulnerable populations.
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#Giuseppedidone #Taiwancharities #Yllintaiwandevotionaward #Taiwanexpats #Italianexpats #intellectualdisabilities #Taiwanphilanthropy
義籍神父呂若瑟深耕台灣一甲子 獲堉璘台灣奉獻獎最高榮譽
2026-10-12
來台灣超過一甲子的義大利籍神父呂若瑟，一生奉獻給弱勢族群，不僅成立啟智中心、照顧上千名身障兒，更將服務範圍拓展到長照服務。高齡86歲的他，今年榮獲「堉璘台灣奉獻獎」，帶您來看這份跨越國界的大愛。
高齡86歲的呂若瑟神父緩步走上頒獎台，接下榮譽獎座。雖然年事已高，但每當聊起心中的公益使命，他依然充滿活力，字裡行間全是對弱勢服務的滿腔熱血。
[[堉璘台灣奉獻獎得主 呂若瑟神父]]
“(到)今天已經40多年了，一直照顧這樣的小孩子，也是他們的父母，一直感謝我們的天主教(人員) ，所以今天很高興”
義大利籍呂若瑟神父，1965年來台後，先後深耕澎湖與宜蘭的弱勢照顧。1987 年更將三星鄉大隱村的廢棄修道院，改建為「聖嘉民啟智中心」，長年庇護上千名極重度身障與智障孩童。16年前，他更將大愛，延伸到長照與安寧療護領域。這份跨越半世紀的無私奉獻，讓他今年榮獲「堉璘台灣奉獻獎」，對於3千萬元的獎金，呂神父幽默的說，絕對不是放進自己的口袋！
[[堉璘台灣奉獻獎得主 呂若瑟神父]]
“一毛錢不會放到我的口袋裡面，是特別要照顧在我們羅東一個聖嘉民啟智中心，最近要辦一個小工作所，要好幾千萬，特別感謝協會給我們的這個機會”
[[遴選委員 詹怡宜]]
“找出讓這個地區所有需要的人，他都能夠在這裡找到他的資源，帶領我們看到那個真正的價值，我覺得這是最有意義的事”
呂若瑟神父奉獻台灣超過一甲子，持續以無私精神扎根在地，成為偏鄉與弱勢最溫暖、堅定的後盾。
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