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The 25th Anniversary of the PCT's Human Rights Statement
Taiwan Church News 2634, August 25, 2002
Reported by Lin Yi-shin.  Translated and rewritten by David
Alexander

    "Quiet pacification of China is not the only choice open to
Taiwan!"  The Rev. Mr. Lim Chong-cheng, head of the Church and
Society Ministries Committee of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
(PCT) addressed this topic in his speech at a worship service
commemorating the 25th anniversary of the church's Statement on
Human Rights (1977).  He vociferously urged the members of
Taiwan's ruling political party to "Be children of the Kingdom of
God, not slaves of the Devil!"
   The church's General Secretary, Rev. William J. K. Lo,
reiterated remarks presented three weeks ago in the Taiwan Church
News about Taiwan's entry into the United Nations.  He called on
the Christians of Taiwan to bravely walk toward the future, hand
in hand, heart to heart, on the way of faith.
    To celebrate the Human Rights Declaration's 25th birthday a
special service of worship and thanksgiving was held at Taipei's
Chi-nan (Khe-lam) Presbyterian Church on August 15th.  Professor
Chen Lung-chih, a member of Ta-an Presbyterian Church who serves
the government as a National Policy Advisor, was invited to
address the congregation on "Taiwan and the United Nations."
Rev. Lo spoke on "Walking by Faith".  He restated the PCT's
continual identification with the people of Taiwan.  Rev. Lim's
exuberant narration of the events of 1977, including the
background to the statement's issuing and the public and
governmental response to it, lent greater meaning to the
proceedings.
    Rev. Lo noted three significant issues highlighted by the
anniversary celebration.  1) We are thankful for God's loving
kindness to Taiwan and for the way God's Holy Arm has led the
people, church and nation of Taiwan.  2) We are repentant as we
humbly reflect on our sinful conduct, our weakness and our
selfishness which have gotten in the way of our complete
fulfilment of the mission God has set before us.  3) We renew our
commitment to be faithful Christians, calling for the mercy and
help of the Lord as we bravely walk by faith.
    In the face of long term ethnic identity politics, especially
from China, we find it difficult to ignore the threat to our
freedom.  Rev. Lim told the crowd that appeasement of China was
not the only route open to Taiwan.  The PCT, in taking a
prophetic and priestly role, early on called for Taiwan's ruling
party and people to be the foundations of a secure national
identity, founded upon human rights and dignity.  He called for
the future of Taiwan to be decided by the people of Taiwan.
    Professor Chen, speaking to the issue of Taiwan's entry into
the United Nations, said, "This is the hope and desire to the
people of Taiwan, to have a new and independent nation, and to
move from idealism to actual participation.  The United Nations
needs Taiwan's participation!"  He said that Taiwan's economic
miracle and politically peaceful turnover of power experience can
serve as reference points for the UN and its member nations.  He
expressed a belief that Taiwan's participation in the UN could
diminish the feeling of enmity from China, and pledged to
continue advocating this path as long as God gives him strength.

For more information: Church and Society Committee
<cs@ms2.pct.org.tw>

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Chinese.
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