wfn.org | Global partnerships endorses continued PCUSA support of dialogue

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

03-July-1996 
 
GA96057 
 
 
    Global partnerships endorses continued PCUSA support 
    of dialogue between churches in Taiwan and China 
 
 
ALBUQUERQUE - The Assembly Committee on Global Partnership affirmed the 
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) commitment to continued support of dialogue 
between the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and the China Christian Council. 
 
    Dialogue began between the two groups in 1983, under the leadership of 
then-moderator the Rev. Robert Bohl.  Bohl said there may be a second 
consultation before November. 
 
    "They need each other," said Bohl, despite years of separation by 
politics and indoctrinated attitudes.  "China probably needs Taiwan more 
than Taiwan needs China ... 
 
    "China needs training for its leaders and theological education," he 
said, pointing out that church growth is exploding there but there is 
little training for ministers available. 
 
    Seminaries were closed for nearly a generation in China under the 
communist government, Bohl said. 
 
    The committee also voted to commit the PCUSA to "work for justice and 
reconciliation between the people and churches of Hong Kong, Taiwan and 
China," since Hong Kong will be returned to China on July 1, 1997, and 
anxiety is mounting. 
 
    In related business, it reaffirmed the PCUSA's "solidarity and 
partnership": 
 
    * with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan and support for the people of 
Taiwan in their efforts for "self-determination, integrity and 
international acceptance." 
    * the churches of Hong Kong as they approach 1997 and pray for "a just 
and peaceful transfer of sovereignty." 
    * and the China Christian Council (CCC) and support for "opportunities 
for mission and ministry" through the CCC and the Amity  Foundation. 
 
    PCUSA Guatemalan mission worker Lydia Hernandez thanked the 
denomination for condemning last June's killing of Presbyterian minister 
Manual Saquic and for establishing a Martyr's Fund to help families of 
those who died for their faith.  "By establishing the Martyr's Fund," she 
said, "you helped educate [Saquic's] children." 
 
    Rachel Lausch, a longtime mission worker in Guatemala, asked 
commissioners to keep Guatemalans in their prayers and to keep visiting 
Guatemala. 
 
    Other ecumenical guests from Cameroon, Cuba and Scotland spoke as well. 
 
 
Alexa Smith 

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