TEF Newsletter (Issue No.023)
Taiwan Ecumenical Forum (TEF) Update from the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT)
2025 Newsletter
Greetings to Our Ecumenical Partners
Grace and peace to you. We share this 2025 update as part of our continued ecumenical fellowship, offering context on Taiwan’s situation, highlights of the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan’s ecumenical engagement, and shared prayer concerns as we seek truth, justice, and peace together.
Background: Taiwan’s Context in 2025
Escalating Geopolitical Pressure
Taiwan faced sustained military intimidation, cyber operations, and disinformation campaigns in 2025, intensifying concerns over democratic resilience and regional stability in the Asia-Pacific.
Democratic Accountability and Civic Action
Civil society initiatives, including recall campaigns supported by faith communities such as the PCT, sought to hold elected officials accountable amid concerns over corruption, foreign interference, espionage risks, and the integrity of Taiwan’s self-determination.International Visibility and Misrepresentation Taiwan continued to experience marginalization and misrepresentation in international and ecumenical spaces, prompting renewed advocacy by Taiwanese churches for dignity, accuracy, and equal participation.Natural Disasters and National Resilience Major typhoons and landslides caused casualties and displacement in several regions, revealing both Taiwan’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters and the strength of social solidarity and mutual aid.Church as Public and Moral Witness The PCT remained active in public theology, human rights advocacy, peacebuilding, and ecumenical dialogue, grounding its witness in justice, truth, and the protection of vulnerable lives.
2025 Ecumenical News Highlights (January–October)
January 2025 — PCT Requests WCC Rectification on Taiwan’s Status
The PCT formally urged the World Council of Churches to correct a 2025 Ecumenical Prayer Cycle headline that misrepresented Taiwan under China, reaffirming Taiwan’s equal ecclesial status and long-standing placement within Northeast Asia.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025010400001
February 2025 — PCT Leaders Engage in Global Religious Freedom Advocacy
PCT leaders participated in international religious freedom dialogues, strengthening ecumenical cooperation on human rights, freedom of belief, and solidarity with persecuted communities.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025022600009
March 2025 — Northeast Asia Ecumenical Youth Forum and Human Rights Training
Ecumenical youth from Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific gathered in Taipei to address regional security, democracy, and human rights, combining civil defense discussions with historical reflection on authoritarianism and the church’s role as a guardian of justice.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025032600003&strCTID=&strDesc=Y&strPub=&strASP=enNews_tcn
April 2025 — Indigenous Justice and Democratic Accountability
PCT Indigenous leaders and ecumenical partners publicly condemned irresponsible legislative budget cuts harming Indigenous rights, social welfare, and cultural survival, reaffirming the church’s commitment to Indigenous dignity, democratic accountability, and resistance to political collusion that undermines Taiwan’s sovereignty.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025040800001
April 2025 — WCC General Secretary Calls PCT to Be Agents of Peace and Justice
At the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) 70th General Assembly, World Council of Churches (WCC) General Secretary Jerry Pillay delivered a keynote on South Africa’s experience with restorative justice, urging Christians and the church to pursue truth, healing, and reconciliation in society. He thanked PCT for its prophetic witness in Taiwan’s complex context, affirmed the church’s role in advocating for the vulnerable, promoting inter-faith cooperation, and encouraged PCT to continue leading in peace-building and restorative engagement locally and globally.
https://tcnn.org.tw/archives/237787
https://www.oikoumene.org/news/in-taiwan-wcc-general-secretary-reflects-we-are-to-be-agents-of-justice-and-reconciliation#:~:text=Prof.%20Dr%20Jerry%20Pillay%20visited,shared%20reflections%20on%20transitional%20justice.
May 2025 — PCT Archives Recognized as Top 100 Taiwan Culture Base
The PCT Archives was honored as one of the Top 100 Taiwan Culture Bases by the Ministry of Culture, highlighting its historical significance, preservation of Taiwanese heritage, and continued role in education, mission, and public engagement.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025050900001
June 2025 — PCT 160th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service
The PCT held a thanksgiving service for its 160th mission anniversary in Kaohsiung, attended by President Lai Ching-te and 8,000 members. The event highlighted PCT’s historic commitment to social justice, democracy, human rights, and love for Taiwan.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025062600006
July 2025 — “I Love Taiwan Mission” and Cross-Cultural Youth Exchange
Youth from multiple countries joined Taiwanese churches in mission, cultural exchange, and local engagement, deepening international ecumenical relationships.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025071600006
August 2025 — PCT Calls for Respect and Consensus After Recall Vote
After the failed recall vote of 24 KMT lawmakers and Hsinchu’s suspended mayor, the PCT urged society to respect democracy, listen to diverse views, and seek consensus while remaining vigilant against disinformation and threats to Taiwan’s national security.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025081700006
September 2025 — PCT Youth Serve Abroad Through Ecumenical Exchange
Through the Ecumenical Youth Exchange Program (EYEP), PCT youth served in Germany, Hungary, and Japan, sharing faith and ecumenical vision while fostering international solidarity and supporting Taiwan’s diplomatic presence in global church networks.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025091900001
October 2025 — PCT Advocates for ‘Amis Flood Victims
Following the Barrier Lake flood in Guangfu Township, PCT urged central and local governments to respect ‘Amis communities’ needs, prioritize household restoration, preserve culture, and ensure volunteer safety during disaster relief and rehabilitation.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2025102500001
November 2025 — Ki-Au Church’s “Copying the Bible” Nurtures Migrant Sisters
Ki-Au Church of the Kaohsiung Presbytery launched its “Copying the Bible” ministry, through which migrant Indonesian sisters experienced spiritual growth, deeper worship participation, and joyful fellowship. The initiative led to the formal establishment of an “Indonesian Sister Fellowship” in 2026, reflecting the church’s commitment to shared Scripture reading, pastoral care, and inclusive community building.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2026010300009&strCTID=&strDesc=Y&strPub=&strASP=enNews_tcn
December 2025 — PCT and UCCJ Strengthen Mission Partnership
At the 17th biennial mission conference, the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT) and the United Church of Christ in Japan (UCCJ) gathered in Changhua to renew their long-standing partnership in mission. Representatives shared updates on youth ministry, indigenous and Ainu outreach, missionary exchange, and theological education, while addressing regional geopolitical tensions and demographic challenges. The conference reaffirmed joint commitment to missionary cooperation, youth exchange programmes, and collaborative witness in East Asia.
https://english.pct.org.tw/enNews_tcn.aspx?strBlockID=B00177&strContentid=C2026010300010&strCTID=&strDesc=Y&strPub=&strASP=enNews_tcn
Prayer Requests
We invite our ecumenical partners to pray with us:
- For peace, freedom, and truth in Taiwan, and protection from disinformation that distorts democratic self-determination.
- For the global community to recognize the sacredness of life in Taiwan, and to care for its people amid military and existential threats.
- For courage among the Taiwanese people, to live without fear and to stand for justice for themselves and others suffering under imperial power and war.
- For ecumenical communities to respect Taiwan’s dignity and self-identification, to listen attentively, and to respond faithfully to the people’s outcry.
- For true peacemaking in the Asia-Pacific, seeking justice beyond surface-level stability.
- For prophetic courage among churches worldwide, resisting injustice, fear, and complicity driven by power or interest.
- For wisdom to discern between empires, following Christ’s path of righteousness amid competing powers.
- For those affected by natural disasters in Taiwan, and for unity, resilience, and compassion to bear witness to God’s love.
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