From the Worldwide Faith News archives www.wfn.org


Taiwan's Presbyterians Quickly Respond to Assassination Attempt


From "pctpress" <pctpress@ms1.hinet.net>
Date Thu, 25 Mar 2004 14:12:45 +0800

Taiwan Church News 2717, 22 through 28 March 2004
Reported by: TCN Staff.  Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

When news began to spread about the attempted assassination of Taiwan's
president and vice president in Tainan City at 1:45 on March 19th clergy and
officers of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) sprang into action. 
Using
the electronic distribution lists of the Taiwan Church News, the General
Assembly circulated an appeal for prayers. The Assembly's vice-moderator and
Secretary for Youth Ministries also went immediately to the headquarters of
the president's re-election campaign to show the church's concern for Mr.
Chen
and Ms. Lu, both of whom had been shot.  All over the nation clergy led their
flocks in prayer, comforted the fearful, and calmed people down. Churches in
many places held prayer meetings later in the evening to pray for the next
day's election and the health and safety of the president and vice president.

Though at times it seems that structures hinder church action, this time they
facilitated quick response. A draft letter went out by e-mail within hours to
all who subscribe to the electronic version of the Taiwan Church News.	It
expressed the surprise and sincerity of the church and asked all PCT clergy
to
give special attention to their churches and communities and take four
specific actions:
1) Pray that the presidential election and national referendum (scheduled for
March 20th) proceed smoothly.  Call on God to see to the satisfactory conduct
of the vote, that Taiwan might peacefully protect and maintain its
sovereignty.
2) Pray for President Chen and Vice President Lu recovering from their
wounds.
Call on the Lord to grant them grace, healing and a prompt recovery.
3) Pray that all the inhabitants of this land might remain calm in this
crisis
moment. Especially call on God to give us stability as we face the future.
4) Convene prayer meetings at 8PM and invite neighbors to come in.

The General Assembly also immediately sent announcements through the Voice of
Green Peace radio station and Formosa TV News calling ministers in Taipei
City
to a prayer meeting at Chi-nan Presbyterian Church that evening.  Because of
the suddenness of the appeal turnout was not numerous, but with joined hands
and bowed heads those present offered prayers.

General Secretary William J. K. Lo compared the events to accidents and
natural disasters, saying that in the wake of these that we begin to consider
the true value of life. He called on Christians to be unselfish, not looking
only to their own good, but to the good neighbors around the world, desiring
God's peace for one and all.

Mr. Shu Jia-cheng, a member of Wen-shan Presbyterian Church in Taipei, was on
duty at campaign headquarters when the news arrived.  He immediately mounted
the stage and called for quiet, then led the astonished staff and volunteers
in prayer to God for protection of Mr. Chen and Ms. Lu.  Though few of the
people gathered were Christians, they followed his leading. By the time that
clergy and other church officers arrived prayers had already been lifted up,
but they were offered again.

The PCT's former General Secretary C.M. Kao shares with Mr. Chen and Ms. Lu a
history of incarceration for political offenses under Taiwan's former
Nationalist Party government.  He has retired to Tainan City where the
shooting took place.  Upon hearing of it, he and Associate General Secretary
Lim Chong-cheng (a Tainan native who was in his hometown that day)
immediately
went to the hospital where the injured were being treated.  They were not
allowed in to pay a visit so they and other pastors outside led the assembled
onlookers in prayer.

For more information: www.pct.org.tw

Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
Visit our web site: www.pctpress.com.tw


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