Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
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The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan (PCT; Taiwanese: Tâi-oân Ki-tok Tiúⁿ-ló Kàu-hoē; Chinese: 台灣基督長老教會) was planted in Taiwan in the 19th century by Dr James Laidlaw Maxwell Snr of the former Presbyterian Church of England and Dr George Leslie Mackay of Canada.
In Taiwan, Presbyterians have historically been active in promoting the use of the local vernacular Taiwanese, both during the Japanese colonial period, as well as after the transfer of rulership to the Republic of China, during which the exclusive use of Mandarin was legally mandated. Also, the church has historically been an active proponent of human rights and democracy in Taiwan, a tradition which began during the Japanese colonial period and extended into the martial law period of the ROC. As such, the church has been somewhat associated with the Taiwan independence movement. The PCT has also been a consistent and conspicuous proponent of Aboriginal Rights:
| “ | …over 64 percent [of Taiwanese aborigines] identify as Christian… [For decades, the PCT] has used its organizational strengths to mobilize its people for repeated campaigns, and has provided a continuing solid institutional base for most Aboriginal political initiatives …organizations like the Alliance of Taiwanese Aborigines — and even the DPP itself — have often fallen back on the Church as a ready-made resource (Stainton 2002). | ” |
In terms of polity, the PCT has a general assembly, and only one synod (the Northern Synod); the presbyteries in the south of the island connect directly to the general assembly. The PCT is a member church of the World Council of Churches. It is also a member of the Council for World Mission through which it is linked in mission with 30 other churches around the world.
Immigrants from Taiwan to the United States and Canada have also started Taiwanese-language churches which are closely related to the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan. While most of these churches are affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA), or the Presbyterian Church in Canada, or the United Church of Canada, the liturgy and church practices are rooted in the Taiwanese Presbyterian tradition, and the pulpits are usually filled by ministers trained in the PCT.
The Mackay Memorial Hospital is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church in Taiwan.
[edit] References
- Stainton, Michael (2002). Presbyterians and the Aboriginal Revitalization Movement in Taiwan. Cultural Survival Quarterly 26.2. Accessed 3/21/2007.
