wfn.org | Taiwan's National Prayer Breakfast in a Political Flap

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Taiwan Church News 2731, 28 June - 4 July 2004
Reported by Lin Yi-ying. Translated and Rewritten by David Alexander

In response to news articles stating that Taiwan's National Prayer Breakfast
Organizing Committee had withdrawn an invitation to former president Lee
Teng-hui to address the meeting(Taiwan Church News Issue 2729), committee
convener James Hsia asserted that the committee had decided not to invite any
political heavyweights to be committee advisors.  No restrictions have been
placed on who may attend the breakfast. Politicians of all parties and
factions are welcome. Their attendance at the breakfast is not something that
can be regulated by the committee.

A Taiwan Church News reporter specifically asked Rev. Hsia about the matter,
and learned that, regarding the breakfast on the 28th of August, a formal
letter of invitation will be sent to former president Lee. Mr. Hsia also was
very clear that the national prayer meeting organizing committee to date has
not taken any particular political party coloration. Its actions and
intentions are biblically guided; aimed at prayer for the nation and its
leaders.

Mr. Hsia recognizes that the organizing committee includes church leaders
from
both politically "blue" and politically "green" groups. It is a forum where
these political opponents get together and converse as brothers and sisters
in
Christ. In such a situation the clarity of purpose and lack of
misunderstanding within the committee can be seen as a divine miracle and a
precious sign of hope for Taiwan.

For More Information: James Hsia Tel: +886-2-2772-1070	Fax: +886-2-2772-1090
www.ccea.org.tw
Taiwan Church News is published weekly in Taiwan's local languages.
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