wfn.org | PCT remembers Kaohsiung Incident 30 years later

["Taiwan Church News" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>      Taiwan Church News

>3015 Edition

>December 7~13 2009

PCT remembers Kaohsiung Incident 30 years later

>Reported by Li Hsin-ren, Chen Yi-hsuan

>Written by Lydia Ma

“My hope is that more people will come forward and lead the  way, motivated by a sense of

justice, courage, and love. I look forward to seeing them pour all  their energy and time into

making Taiwan an honorable and beautiful country, a place filled  with faith, hope, and love,”

said Rev. C.M. Kao during a forum held on December 6th in Taipei  to mark the 30th

anniversary of Kaohsiung Incident. Kao also urged all who loved  Taiwan to prove it with their

actions during these times of national uncertainty.

Christians in south Taiwan prayed for the salvation of Taiwanese  people, the future of Taiwan,

and rebuilding efforts in the aftermath of Typhoon Morakot during  a separate service held at

Fongshan Gymnasium to commemorate Kaohsiung Incident.

Accused of hiding Shih Ming-te during Kaohsiung Incident, former  PCT General Secretary

C.M. Kao spent a total of four years, three months, and 21 days in  prison before being

released. Kao said that many people have asked him over the years  whether he ever

regretted helping Shih. His answer is, no, he never regretted what  he did because he felt he

wasn’t merely helping someone in need but also doing an act  of service for his beloved

>country.

Though Kaohsiung Incident was a national tragedy at the time, it  turned out to be a blessing in

disguise in retrospect, said Kao, because it set off a chain  reaction culminating in the lifting of

martial law, release of political prisoners, legalization of  opposition parties, and finally, the

democratic election of a president. These accomplishments were  simply unimaginable in the

>early 1980s.

Kao also pointed out that many people have grown discouraged over  the past year because

the country’s democratic progress has been increasingly  compromised by a China-friendly,

KMT government. But he emphasized the next two years will be  crucial for Taiwan, and

Taiwanese people must use their wisdom and sense of justice to  protect their country. They

must learn from Jesus, who stood firm and acted courageously  despite opposition and

>persecution.

Besides memorial services held in northern Taiwan, PCT Church and  Society Committee also

co-hosted a service with South Bunun Presbytery in Fongshan  Gymnasium near Kaohsiung.

The service paid tribute to both victims of Typhoon Morakot and  victims of Kaohsiung Incident.

The first part of the service consisted of praise and worship led  by Aborigines College

Students Association in Kaohsiung. The second part of the service,  held in the afternoon, was

a thanksgiving service commemorating the Kaohsiung Incident.  During the second half of the

service, several pastors stood up to lead the congregation in  prayer for the souls of

Taiwanese people who have yet to hear the gospel, for the future  of Taiwan, for post-Morakot

reconstruction projects, and for world peace and justice.

At the end of the service, PCT leaders handed out awards to  churches, presbyteries, and

Christian organizations in recognition for their rescue efforts  and service during Typhoon

>Morakot.

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