wfn.org | Lo-Sheng Fellowship Speaks Out for Seniors Forced from Their Homes

["Lydia Ma" <enews@pctpress.org>]

>Taiwan Church News

>2963 Edition

>December 8-14, 2008

Lo-Sheng Fellowship Speaks Out for Seniors Forced from Their Homes

>Reported by: Chiou Kuo-rong

>Written by: Lydia Ma

Lo-Sheng Senior Complex is one of the three remaining leprosy homes in  the world today. Built in 1929 during the Japanese colonial period, the  complex is comprised of several buildings and located in Taipei county  along Highway 1. Though it was once Taiwan’s first hospital build  for leprosy patients, over the years, it became a senior home for those  who used to be afflicted with the disease. Because of its age and  colonial-era architectural design, the buildings have also become a  historical site. To pave the way for Taipei’s Mass Rapid Transit  (MRT), some of the buildings were demolished in recent years and  concrete walls were installed. This in turn led to conflicts between the  city government, interest groups, and seniors living in Lo-Sheng Senior  Complex. Currently, Lo-Sheng Fellowship, Lo-Sheng Youth Association, and  Lo-Sheng Preservation Association are some of the organizations speaking  out for the preservation of the site and the rights of the senior  residents living there.

On December 3rd, students staging a sit-in protest on behalf Lo-Sheng  were removed by force by Taipei county police. As soon as the students  were removed, bulldozers began to demolish parts of another building in  Lo-Sheng. “Auntie Lan”, a lady who happens to live in the  building being demolished and is also a member of the Presbyterian  Church in Taiwan, was carried away by students along with 90-year-old  "Granny Lin" whom she was caring for at the time. Both women watched in  despair as their home for the past 40 years was torn down. The day after  the incident, Lo-Sheng Fellowship (an inter-denominational church group)  issued a statement stating they would continue to hold prayer meetings  every Monday night at Lo-Sheng and they would continue to fight for its  preservation until the government takes tangible measures to protect the  site.

Lo Sheng Fellowship also pointed out that the government had previously  promised to preserve the historical site by relocating the buildings to  another place so that the MRT could be built. However, Lo-Sheng  Fellowship claims that, so far, it has only seen government plans for  the removal of the buildings. Parts of the buildings taken down are  currently stored at an undisclosed location and relocation plans are  hazy at best. The lack of transparency makes Lo-Sheng backers feel that  the county government will not deliver its promise on preserving  Lo-Sheng. Though it has promised to help residents move back in five  years once the MRT is completed, students and seniors are not optimistic  about the prospect of being able to move back with the help of the  government.

One student from Lo-Sheng Fellowship noted that “weeping with those  who weep” is God’s command for Christians. Hence, members of  the fellowship are only following Jesus’ footsteps by standing up  for those who are oppressed and forced from their homes. The student  also pointed out that both the Democratic Progressive Party and the  Nationalist Party have taken the same stance when it comes to Lo-Sheng,  which is supporting development of the MRT to facilitate mass transit.  The problem is that people have been led into thinking that as long as  seniors in Lo-Sheng have been properly relocated, it is alright to  proceed building the MRT as soon as possible. However, most people are  unaware of whether adequate relocation is actually taking place for  Lo-Sheng seniors. In recent days, five Presbyterian churches, three  senior fellowships, and some pastors have visited Lo-Sheng Fellowship to  show support for their cause.

According to information released by Taipei MRT office, protests staged  at Lo-Sheng Seniors Complex have delayed MRT construction for five years  and increased construction costs by more than $3 billion NTD. Lo-Sheng  residents who have been relocated as well as those who remain at the  original site say that protests have created quite a stir. Both MRT  officials and seniors hope that the MRT station can be completed quickly  so that Lo-Sheng seniors can move back and receive adequate care, and  the neighborhood can regain some peace and normalcy

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