wfn.org | Taiwan Christians Call for the Establishment of Marriage Day

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@wfn.org>]

Taiwan Church News 2590, 21st October 2001
Reported by Uidy Kao, Written by David Alexander
      Over the past decade Taiwan's marriage rate has dropped and divorce
rate has risen.  Last year there were 180 thousand marriages and 50
thousand divorces here.  Taiwan is among the world's leading nations in
divorce!  The Taipei Christian Academy has joined with Hsi-chr Praise
Baptist Church, the Church and Society Committee of the Presbyterian
Church in Taiwan, and the Taipei and Seven Star Presbyteries to call for
the establishment of "Marriage Day" on November 22nd.  The Academy and
its partners want to arouse Taiwan's society to emphasize the marriage
relationship.  Part of their plans include a mass ceremony on November
18th when 200 couples will stand to re-affirm their marriage vows
together in a demonstration of the satisfactions of married life.
      Academy director Chang Kun-chi said, "Christians see marriage as
valuable, especially when both husband and wife walk with their Lord.
We uphold the idea that the daily conduct of married life is good for
both partners as they faithfully and companionably meet both bitter and
sweet, and learn to cherish warm and satisfactory lives together."
      The "1122 (November 11th) Marriage Day activities will begin with
the mass re-affirmation ceremony at the Shih-lin courthouse on the
18th.  Following this "attention getter" a series of activities,
including some focused at junior and senior high school students, will
be held to uphold the desirability and importance of marriage. The
academy ideally would like to see the elected chiefs of neighborhoods
and township as the first line of family and marriage counselors. The
21st Century Women's Association is offering a seminar on gender
equality and marriage enrichment. The Taiwan Church News will also
publish articles on, "The Many Flavors of Married Life."
     Mr. Chang hopes that "Churches and all sectors of this society will
conduct marriage counseling and enhancement  meetings so that everyone
can learn the resources available to transform  Taiwan's society into
one with satisfying marriage relationships."
For more information: Taipei Christian Academy
                                     +886 2 2536 1952