Taiwan Church News
3324 Edition
November 9 – 15, 2015
Editorial
Reflecting Presbyterianism From Ma-Xi Meeting
Before Ma-Xi meeting, held on November 7, PCT had delivered a statement entitled as “Respect Democratic Procedures, Maintain Sovereignty Independent and Keep Status Quo Peaceful”, in which three proposals were reiterated: 1) The future of Taiwan should be decided by all Taiwanese people; 2) The independent sovereignty and peaceful status quo of Eastern Asian countries are not allowed to be damaged; 3) We do not agree Ma Ying-jeou to proceed any secret bargain with China under no democratic procedures.
Whatsoever, comparing the fact that Zang Zhijun, Director of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, reiterated the speech of Xi Jingpin in the 30 minutes press brief after Ma-Xi meeting, Ma Ying-jeou’s succeeding press brief in the title as ROC President or Taiwan leader was obviously unequal, irrespective of the content of the meeting. It’s very pathetic that Ma Ying-jeou even does not raise any objection against this unfair arrangement. All he wants to achieve was only a historical meeting, reported as “the first ever encounter of the party leaders between the nationalist and communist since 1949”, yet totally disregarding the will of all Taiwanese people. Ma Ying-jeou was not even conscious about the fact, since his being humiliated was same as losing Taiwan’s status as a country, his show-off presidency became China’s best propaganda of Taiwan’s being succumbed to China.
The 2014 Sunflower Student Movement, which protested Ma-administration’s arbitrary negotiation on Cross-Strait Agreement on Trade in Service without consulting the congress, seems does not teach Ma Ying-jeou anything to respect the will of the people. Going against the democratic consensus of Taiwan society, Ma made up his mind to hold a secret negotiation with the Chinese leader – Xi Jinping.
What is noteworthy about the Ma-Xi meeting is China’s intention to set up a framework to constrain Taiwan’s next President, even KMT government might lose the impending 2016 presidential election, and facilitate the ruling of Xi Jinping in the next seven years. Ma’s being humiliated by China might be personal and insignificant, but Ma’s bully against the will of the people may cost the future of Taiwan.
As people can easily find that any consensus in PCT is deliberately discussed and democratically resolved by our collegiate system through session, presbytery/synod and general assembly, there is an amazing contrast between presbyterianism with the secret and arbitrary bargain of Ma-Xi meeting which is so undemocratic and against the will of the people.
Though there are some criticisms about the efficiency of the collegiate system of the presbyterianism. But, on the whole, presbyterianism as a democratic mechanism of the church governance, with elected elders compliant to the will of the congregation, is a very important foundation maintaining PCT to grow steady in the past 150 years of mission.
PCT is a church, which is believing that each member, having the image of God respectively, cannot be manipulated by any authoritarian pastors or clergymen. PCT also reiterates that the order and teachings of Jesus Christ should be humbly followed and complied within various statements, discussions and decisions. Through an appropriate management and a corresponding organization, avoiding a hegemony of dictatorship, PCT is both a church believing “the Holy Spirit and the holy catholic church”and a church, “through love and suffering”, becoming the sign of hope!
Seeing the will of the people was seriously betrayed by Ma Ying-jeou’s intentional negligence, which made a big havoc for Taiwan society, the collegiate system in presbyterianism is therefore felt much more complete and precious because the decision procedures within PCT listens to various opinions from different body parts in order to pay our utmost tribute to the sovereignty of our Lord Jesus Christ!
