“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the
poor, he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives, recovery of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord (Luke 4:
18-19)

The Taiwan Ecumenical Forum, at the invitation of The Presbyterian Church in Taiwan
(PCT), met in the midst of the turmoil, suffering, destruction, death and oppression of a world
order under the sway of hegemonic Empires competing for territory on land and sea,
resources, wealth and power through war, economic coercion and political aggression. The
whole oikumene – all peoples and creation itself – are groaning under the weight of violence
and exploitation as there is an unmasking of the brutal reality of global power relationships
and the rules of international law no longer seem to apply.

The Forum engaged through the eyes of faith, in a deep spiritual and theological
reflection on the mission of the Church in the present geopolitical situation, particularly in
relation to the threats to the freedom of the peoples of Taiwan within a global perspective.
The Forum foregrounded a Gospel-centered vision of people’s security, shifting away
from notions of national security based primarily on military defense. Instead, they
emphasized solidarity among the peoples and with creation — both crucified by injustice —
focusing on people’s freedom, identity, agency and autonomy through seeking peace and
justice.

The Forum affirmed our common identity not defined by nationalism but shaped by
love in our identification with the koinonia of the suffering, oppressed and crucified
peoples.

Read the full Communique below.