February 20-26, 2012
Headline News
Taiwan Church News commemorates 228 Massacre with mini replicas of seized edition
Reported by Sam Lee
Written by Lydia Ma
To commemorate the 65th anniversary of the 228 Massacre and the 25th anniversary since this event became a day of public remembrance, Taiwan Church News will print 1,987 mini replicas of “Living Way” as a memento. “Living Way” appeared as supplemental pages in the 1825 edition of Taiwan Church News and featured articles about the 228 Massacre. The entire edition was confiscated by government authorities soon after publication.
Reflecting on the publication of “Living Way” and the confiscation of Taiwan Church News at the time, Rev. Lin Pei-sung, former General Editor of Taiwan Church News, said that the purpose for publishing “Living Way” in 1987 was to raise awareness on PCT’s stand concerning national issues. “Living Way” was first published at the end of November in 1986 and reported on the legislative elections of the following month. That election was the first time DPP representatives had ever ran for elections.
Commenting on the significance of “Living Way”, Lin underscored that this name signified the PCT’s efforts to carve a way for Taiwan. He added that because Taiwan Church Press wanted to ensure that “Living Way” would be widely circulated across Taiwan, and not just amongst churches, it was printed and distributed to newsstands across Taiwan.
During the printing of the first edition of “Living Way”, government investigators came to pick up a few copies, as had been the custom at the time. However, shortly afterward, officers were dispatched to seize the entire edition on the grounds that Taiwan Church Press had violated Article No.9 of the Publication Law and bookstand owners were also forbidden to sell or distribute “Living Way” on the grounds that it was an illegal circulation.
Commenting on the seizing of “Living Way”, Lin said that speaking about the 228 Massacre was considered taboo by the KMT government in the 1980s as Taiwan was still under Martial Law. On the afternoon of February 20, 1987, the Tainan City Cultural Executive Team was dispatched to Taiwan Church Press to seize and destroy the entire 1825 edition of Taiwan Church News. This incident was noted by churches and social groups at the time and they staged a protest on April 5. In the end, the government issued an apology, reprinted and returned this edition to Taiwan Church Press.
As Taiwan marks 228 Peace and Memorial day, Lin remarked that PCT remains a voice that best represents Taiwanese people. Though the KMT and President Ma Ying-jeou won a second term and 6.89 million votes in January’s election, this government cannot speak for the people of Taiwan who desire a “new and independent country”
Remarking on the parallels between the victims of the 228 Massacre and Jesus Christ’s resurrection, Lin said that Christ’s resurrection signified that “the light had overcome the darkness”. In the same manner, the spirit and determination of those innocent people who perished during Martial Law era remains with us today and the PCT will persevere in faith to secure a future for Taiwan through the sharing of the gospel.
