[3178] PCT to partner with PROK in upcoming WCC Assembly in Busan

PCT to partner with PROK in upcoming WCC Assembly in Busan

Reported by Lin Yi-ying

Written by Lydia Ma

During a recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the General Assembly of the PCT held on January 15, 2013 at the PCT General Assembly Office, delegates had the opportunity to meet and hear a report from Rev. Sunghook Park of the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea (PROK). Park is currently the Executive Secretary of a PROK committee charged with overseeing preparations for the World Council of Churches’ (WCC) assembly in Busan, which will be held in October of 2013. He came to Taiwan to bring greetings on behalf of the PROK and to give a brief report on preparations for this assembly at the PCT meeting.

This is the second time that the WCC has held an assembly in Asia since 1961 when the assembly was held in New Delhi, India. For this reason, Park underscored that the event is not something that only concerns churches in South Korea, but rather, an honor for all Asian churches that are member churches of the WCC. He added that the event will be the focus of many media reports when it begins and since the PROK and the PCT are partner churches in many ecumenical ministries, he felt compelled to visit the PCT ahead of time and express the PROK’s desire to partner with the PCT in hosting this assembly to ensure that it is successful.

Park underscored that though Christian denominations in South Korea have differing opinions on the WCC, both conservative and fundamentalist denominations have signed an agreement to overlook these differences and partner with mainstream churches in planning this event to ensure that the WCC assembly is successful.

Besides visiting the Executive Committee, Park also visited Yushan Seminary, Taiwan Theological College and Seminary, and Tainan Theological College and Seminary where he reported on the progress of preparations for the WCC assembly. He was introduced by PCT Ecumenical Relations Secretary, Rev. Hu Hongchi. After briefing leaders at these institutions, he left Taiwan on January 19.

Park (center) addresses the PCT General Assembly Executive Committee accompanied by Andrew Chang (left) and Pusin Tali (right).

Photo by Lin Yi-ying