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China, Taiwan Churches ’on way to communion’

Francis Kuo, Taipei

Francis Kuo, Taipei

Updated: September 27, 2010 10:12 AM GMT
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Brother Lucas Ho (extreme right) with Catholics in Taiwan
Brother Lucas Ho (extreme right) with Catholics in Taiwan
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Brother Lucas Ho, the sole Chinese member of the Taize community in France, says a recent visit to Taiwan by a top religious official from China is a sign that cross-strait relations are moving towards communion. This will benefit cooperation between churches in China and Taiwan, he says. Wang Zuo’an, director of State Administration for Religious Affairs, met with Taiwanese Church leaders earlier this month and invited retired Cardinal Paul Shan Kuo-hsi of Kaohsiung to visit the mainland. “This is a good thing, as reconciliation is Jesus’ intention,” said Brother Lucas. The 65-year-old Taize brother began a 10-day visit to Taiwan on Sept. 19 and is attending prayer gatherings across the island. Since China and Taiwan have established direct postal, transportation and trade links in recent years, “religious link should be opened up too,” he told ucanews.com. He was speaking after a Sept. 25 prayer service attended by 200 people at the Holy Trinity Church in Taipei. Brother Lucas said Taize-style prayer, which aims at unity and reconciliation, is popular among Taiwan, China and Hong Kong Christians, particularly the youth. Taize prayers have been growing in China for over 15 years but are still banned in some places, the Hong Kong-born brother said. He also said the Taize community in France donated one million Bibles to China last year to promote Bible-studying among Catholics. Both the “open” and “underground” Church communities welcomed the Bibles, he said. During Brother Lucas’ visit, French Jesuit Father Jean Lefeuvre, who introduced Taize-style prayers to Taiwan in 1987, died on Sept. 24 at the age of 88. Related reports Taize prayer groups taking off in Taiwan Taize to Have One Million Bibles Printed in China Chinese Christians´ Perseverance In Faith Sustains Us, Taize Leader Says TA11341.1621

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