Taiwan Church News

3293 Edition

April 6 - 12, 2015

Church Ministry

WCC Expects A Relationship Of Mutual Respect And Peaceful Co-existence Between Taiwan And China

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

On April 6, PCT and World Church Councils(WCC) hold an international press conference at Chung-shan Presbyterian Church,proclaiming to the world the thanksgiving and celebration of the 150th anniversary of PCT's mission in Taiwan is officially launched.

When Asked about how WCC thought about the relationship between Taiwan and China, Rev. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretaryof WCC, replied: "It is indeed a matter of fact that there are WCC church members existed in both Taiwan and China. And, in the past history, Taiwan and China had a very complicated and entangled history. As WCC has a consistent international policy to care and listen to different situations from each church member, a relationship of mutual respect and peaceful co-existence between Taiwan and China is therefore heartily anticipated."

Rev. Tveit also stressed, regarding how should it develop on the future relationship between Taiwan and China, WCC does nothave any presupposition for knowing that the complicated relationship existent in different areas and countries. In addition, Rev. Tveit reminded, "The acceptance of WCC member is not based on individual state or country, but on the church or denomination."

Regarding the membership problem about Taiwan's difficulty to participate in World Health Organization(WHO), Rev. Tveitconcurred that Taiwan owned her absolute sovereignty to decide how to engage in such important international organization and affairs. He also emphasized the important role PCT had contributed in WCC polity, and promised to support PCT's continuous engagement and service in this ecumenical kingdom of God!

Translated by Peter Wolfe