[3144] Catholic church members and clergy march to protect their land

Catholic church members and clergy march to protect their land

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

Translated by Lydia Ma

For the first time in the history of the Catholic Church in Taiwan, which spans more than 150 years, Catholic Church members and clergy are taking to the streets to protect their church buildings and their benefits. This historical moment was provoked by a land requisition and consolidation by Taichung City as part of its Urban Renewal Plan. The city government had rezoned and requisitioned half of the land belonging to the Catholic Church in Taichung’s Nantun District.

On the afternoon of May 26, 2012, more than 3,000 people, mostly Catholic priests, nuns, members, and their supporters, took part in a prayer march to protect this church building and property. The march was led by Taichung Diocese Vice Bishop Hsu Shih-chao, priest of Catholic Church in Nantun District Father Khohi Mbwi, along with many foreign and Taiwanese priests and nuns from across Taiwan. It

began at Summer Green Park and wound up at the front steps of Taichung City Hall where a petition was formally submitted .

Besides demanding that the city government mediate this matter involving a conflict of interests between church officials, developers, and the city government, protestors also prayed for the well-being of government officials, church officials, etc. They underscored some of the injustices and inconsistences of the new legislation, inlcuidng

“The reason we are taking to the streets is not because we are bullies. We are praying and asking for fairness and justice!” said Hsu, adding that this is the first time the Catholic Church has taken to the streets for the sake of its rights and interests. He added that because other churches have encountered similar problems, a meeting was convened in May between leaders of every diocese and it was decided at the meeting that a joint appeal would be made to the government with regards to respecting religious properties.

As for the Catholic Church in Taichung’s Nantun District, the ultimate goal for clergy and church members is to completely preserve the church building. Vice Bishop Hsu Shih-chao added that the reason this protest was scheduled one day before Pentecost is because this holiday marks the birthday of the Christian church and is an appropriate day for church members to come out and make their voices heard.

As for the outpouring of support shown by Protestants and Catholics from all across Taiwan, Father Khohi Mbwi said he was very grateful for everyone’s support. But he also reminded Christians that “Today, this is happening to Nantun Catholic Church. It may happen to other churches tomorrow. So, we must stick together for the sake of future generations!”