JOHN mANIPADAM FROM TAIWAN

At the midnight hour, 2011 was ushered in with special displays of fireworks, as well as special entertainment programmes, before large open-air audiences in Taipei and the other cities–all faithfully broadcast on TV. The celebrations marked the beginning of the Centenary of the Republic of China (R.O.C.), declared and founded in Nanjing on 1 January 1912, by Dr Sun Yat-sen. When the Communists, led by Chairman Mao Ze Dong, declared and founded the People’s Republic of China (P.R.C.) on 1 October 1949, President Chiang Kai-shek of the KuoMingTang (KMT) and his followers crossed over to Taiwan. At present, public opinion regarding the future of the R. O. C. is divided between Reunification with the Motherland like Hong Kong and Macau (One Country, Two Systems) and the continued mysterious Separate Existence with very limited recognition, and that too by a few small countries, in the face of the U.N’s One-China Policy.

 

-- John Manipadam

TIEN EDUCATIONAL CENTER, TAIPEI

The seasons of Advent and Christmas are periods of waiting with expectation and receiving gifts with gratitude. My travel to Hong Kong to apply for a Chinese Visa was looked upon with great expectations, as it could affect the future of the International regents in Taiwan. The Missionary Visa to Taiwan made it impossible for us to hide the fact that we are missionaries in Taiwan. The Chinese authorities for the second time rejected the application clearly stating that I am a missionary in Taiwan. Now the Chinese Government knows everything about me. In a way it gives me lot of freedom as I do not have to “play hide and seek” with them any longer. Even though I could not go to Communist China, I had the rare opportunity to interact with Chinese priests and religious who came to attend the Ignatian Symposium. It was an unexpected Christmas gift to me. They were very happy to meet an Indian who can speak and write in Chinese. The Symposium (The Ricci Legacy: Finding God in Cultures) explored inculturation of various facets of Ignatian spirituality in different environments, including India, with a special emphasis on personal experience. Back in Taiwan, I am involved with a youth group while continuing my studies in Chinese language. Just before going to Hong Kong, I had the opportunity to be part of a 3-day youth activity, the participants being non-Christian students from a Jesuit institution. I was responsible for the initial sessions which included teaching non-Christians “how to pray” in Chinese. I used the Yoga exercises, which I learned in my Novitiate to prepare them for prayer. This was appreciated by many. The whole process
of attempting to go to China reminds us that we experience powerlessness in frontier ministry. The experience of powerlessness helps us to trust in God more deeply than ever before. As we hopefully wait for a better future, let us pray for each other! I remember you all in this New Year!

Rubil Martin Kurian