Page 28 - Preservation for the Documentation of Chinese Christianity

Chairperson's Remarks

Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Soo

“Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is spirit as he actively promotes ecumenism and peace
honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever with love despite the difficult circumstances.
is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any
We believe God is the Triune True God as clearly
excellence and if there is anything worthy o f praise,
stated in the Athanasian Creed as part of our confession
think about these things. Keep on doing the things that
that the Holy Father, Holy Son and the Holy Spirit are
you have learned and received and heard and seen in
inseparable. God fully enjoys intra-communion without
me, and the God o f peace will be with you."
reservation. God is in the theological realm of “I in you
(Philippians 4:8-9, NRSV)
and you in I" with no hidden or self-protective element.
Recently I made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. This God has only the intention to tear down walls,
The Holy Land is a place where people desperately seek build bridges, be supportive, be creative and to express
for peace, and also where Christ our Savior proclaimed the essence of self-less love. Therefore, the essential
the Gospel of Peace. Yet throughout the years, people marks of ecumenism are: acceptance, respect, caring,
living there have not experienced peace. Although I concern, tolerance, restoration, healing, release, under-
feel that the Holy Land is currently ‘secure' ， yet it is a standing, exchange and communication. Love is the

situation created by 'enforced administration' of the au­ common basis of relationships between us and between
thorities by segregating the Palestinians. The Palestin­ God and humans to the ultimate expression of intimate
ian villages and cities are encircled by high walls like a communion of the mystical bond of the Holy Trinity as
high security prison. Everyone needs a permit to enter revealed by God to us. However, we are still regretfully
and to exit. I felt sad, as I have heard many youth are in seeing many incidents of putting up walls and destroy-
despair because they have no chance to leave this place. ing bridges in our world. These are quite different from

the ideal of unity, events such as the Iraqi War, Korean
I have also traveled with the Executive Commit-
hostages in Afghanistan, Genocide in Sudan, Drug and
tee Members of our Council to pay an official visit to
Human Trafficking, Political Tensions, Economic Pro-
the Ecumenical Patriarch of the Orthodox Church in
tectionism, Domestic Violence, etc.
Istanbul. We reviewed the history of persecutions ex-
perienced by the Church throughout the ages, and we For many years, the Hong Kong Christian Coun-
witnessed the reality of the Church still living under cil has actively promoted unity in love, breaking down
intense restriction by the local authority. The Church walls, building bridges, establishing a platform for
has faced different trials in various parts of the world. peace, and facilitating channels of communication.
Furthermore, the Church is also the target of attack or These are how we interpret Paul’s words to think of

criticism by terrorists. However, during the short con- whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
versation with the Patriarch, I admired his ecumenical just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing... to witness

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