wfn.org | Taiwan's Church Council to Remain "Chinese"

[Taiwan Church News <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>]

Taiwan Church News 2656, January 26, 2003
Reported by. Translated and rewritten by David Alexander

The Church Cooperation Association of the Republic of China,
known more commonly as the National Council of Churches of Taiwan
(NCCT) held its biennial assembly on January 14th.  During the
meeting new directors were elected and plans for next year's
activities were approved.  Representatives from all member
churches were positive, and a productive ecumenical spirit was
evident.

In addition to these items, the matter of the association's name
was discussed.	In the past, nationwide organizations were not
allowed to register under the name "Taiwan."  They were compelled
to use "Republic of China" for legal purposes. The political
environment has opened up over the past decade, so some of the
directors suggested changing the name of the group to reflect
Taiwan's "true name."  The matter was put to a vote, which came
out 16 for and 7 opposed.  Because it required 18 votes to pass,
the motion failed.

The Rev. William J. K. Lo, General Secretary of the Presbyterian
Church in Taiwan, was disappointed with the outcome.  He said,
"International society knows this country as Taiwan.  The English
acronym used for this association, NCCT, is based on use of the
word 'Taiwan' not 'China'. Since the motion failed this time, we
will wait two years and try again at the next assembly.

Last year the NCCT participated in many high profile programs.
These included a sports festival and the recent social movement
to uplift and strengthen marriage. Response was encouraging. In
the coming year seminars, lectures and activities will be added
in several growing areas of social concern: Aids Prevention
Education, Family Ethics and Migrant Marriage and Economic Life.

Association members said that in the face of the mounting threat
of Aids, the breakdown of family structures and the increasing
number of cross cultural marriages in Taiwan, the church must
take a positive role. By love, action and concern, the Kingdom of
God will be made manifest here.

For more information:  Republic of China Churches Cooperation
Association (NCCT)
				  TEL  +886 2 2571 3576

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local
languages.
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