WCC to follow China visit with trip to Taiwan

-23/11/06

Hot on the heels of his recent


WCC to follow China visit with trip to Taiwan

-23/11/06

Hot on the heels of his recent visit to the Peopleís Republic of China, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia will head a further ecumenical delegation to visit Taiwan from 23-26 November 2006.

The trip comes at the invitation of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT), the WCC’s member church in the country.

China claims Taiwan as its own, a fact strongly disputed by the self-proclaimed Republic of China itself. The conflict has threatened to overspill in a number of ways over the years since 1949.

During its four-day visit, the delegation will meet with PCT leadership and staff, and attend a public meeting at the Taiwan Theological College and Seminary where Dr Kobia will address the public on the topic of “The spirit and basic concerns of the ecumenical movement and the interactive relationship between ecumenism and spirituality”.

On 24 November 2006, the group will stay overnight in a rural indigenous community/congregation and, the next day, visit an urban indigenous community/congregation before returning to Taipei where Dr Kobia is scheduled to deliver the sermon at a Sunday worship service.

The China Christian Council, the recognized mainland Protestant church, has publicly endorsed its governmentís position in relation to a ëgreater Chinaí.

The Taiwanese Presbyterians take a different view, and in 2001 stated: ìAs a Christian community the PCTís prayerful desire is for a peaceful settlement to be reached across the straits through the process of dialogue and mutual respect. We pray for harmony and peace in the Asia and Pacific regions and for the world.

ìThe PCT values the long-standing friendship and support of the ecumenical community. It is our hope that ecumenical churches will continue in their efforts and roles as a bridge between the PCT and our brothers and sisters in the CCC. We hope and pray that faith will transcend nationalism; thus we may all participate fully in the mission of the church so that justice, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God will be realized on earth.î

The ecumenical delegation accompanying the WCC general secretary is composed of the Rev Dr Tyrone Pitts (WCC central committee member, general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, USA); the Rev Dr Seong-Won Park (WCC central committee member, from the Presbyterian Church of Korea, South Korea); the Rev Fr Gabriel Papanicolaou (ecumenical officer of the Church of Greece); Dr Mathews George Chunakara (WCC Asia secretary); and, as a communications consultant to the delegation, the Rev Deborah DeWinter (WCC programme executive for the United States).


WCC to follow China visit with trip to Taiwan

-23/11/06

Hot on the heels of his recent visit to the Peopleís Republic of China, World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary the Rev Dr Samuel Kobia will head a further ecumenical delegation to visit Taiwan from 23-26 November 2006.

The trip comes at the invitation of the Presbyterian Church of Taiwan (PCT), the WCC’s member church in the country.

China claims Taiwan as its own, a fact strongly disputed by the self-proclaimed Republic of China itself. The conflict has threatened to overspill in a number of ways over the years since 1949.

During its four-day visit, the delegation will meet with PCT leadership and staff, and attend a public meeting at the Taiwan Theological College and Seminary where Dr Kobia will address the public on the topic of “The spirit and basic concerns of the ecumenical movement and the interactive relationship between ecumenism and spirituality”.

On 24 November 2006, the group will stay overnight in a rural indigenous community/congregation and, the next day, visit an urban indigenous community/congregation before returning to Taipei where Dr Kobia is scheduled to deliver the sermon at a Sunday worship service.

The China Christian Council, the recognized mainland Protestant church, has publicly endorsed its governmentís position in relation to a ëgreater Chinaí.

The Taiwanese Presbyterians take a different view, and in 2001 stated: ìAs a Christian community the PCTís prayerful desire is for a peaceful settlement to be reached across the straits through the process of dialogue and mutual respect. We pray for harmony and peace in the Asia and Pacific regions and for the world.

ìThe PCT values the long-standing friendship and support of the ecumenical community. It is our hope that ecumenical churches will continue in their efforts and roles as a bridge between the PCT and our brothers and sisters in the CCC. We hope and pray that faith will transcend nationalism; thus we may all participate fully in the mission of the church so that justice, peace and joy of the Kingdom of God will be realized on earth.î

The ecumenical delegation accompanying the WCC general secretary is composed of the Rev Dr Tyrone Pitts (WCC central committee member, general secretary of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, USA); the Rev Dr Seong-Won Park (WCC central committee member, from the Presbyterian Church of Korea, South Korea); the Rev Fr Gabriel Papanicolaou (ecumenical officer of the Church of Greece); Dr Mathews George Chunakara (WCC Asia secretary); and, as a communications consultant to the delegation, the Rev Deborah DeWinter (WCC programme executive for the United States).