Taiwan Church News 3379 Edition November 28 - December 4, 2016 Church Ministry PCT To Respond Equal Marriage Act In Four Local MeetingsReported by TCN staff On November 29, PCT General Assembly Office held a staff meeting about current debates within church on EqualMarriage Act. In order to set up a dialogue platform on communicating different opinions about same-sex marriage, a resolution was made to relegate PCT's Gender Justice Committee to open four local meetings within PCT churches across Taiwan. Rev. Sudu Tada, Moderator of PCT General Assembly, expressed that there was indeed a PCT pastoral letterissued about same-sex marriage in the 59th General Assembly Meeting, though, a major concern of this pastoral letter to treasure family values and respect human rights was beyond doubt. More important was that, Rev Sudu Tada stressed, in order to build up a society full of mutual respect and solid trust,this pastoral letter advised PCT members not to discriminate or judge anyone of our sisters and brothers, due to her or his sexual orientation, except showing care, concern, and charity in church ministries. As to the issue, whether PCT would stand for an amendment of Civil Code or a legislation of a special codeon equal marriage issue, Rev Sudu Tada said PCT did not have any particular position yet as the polis within PCT was not authoritarian - every PCT member could express her or his opinion freely. However, for the unity of the church, a rational and good-will expression and communication is still needed in the coming local meetings on the same-sex marriage issue, urged Rev Sudu Tada. Translated by Peter Wolfe |