Five New Chinese Ordinands in Taiwan
Diocesan Press Service. November 1, 1962 [IV-14]
This Fall four men - all native Chinese - have been ordained Deacon and one Priest in St. John's Pro-Cathedral, Tainan, Taiwan. Representatives from all eight churches on Taiwan filled the Cathedral.
Up to this point there have only been two single ordinations in the Taiwan Church, so this marks an important step forward in developing a national ministry. Bishop Kennedy ordained the Deacons and Bishop Gilson ordained the Priest. The importance of this ordination is that now the national clergy in Taiwan outnumber the American clergy appointed by the Overseas Department of our National Council, there being 7 national and 6 appointed missionaries.
The development of national leadership has been a key element in the overseas strategy of our Church. In most missionary districts, the national clergy are more numerous today than the appointed missionaries. Thus, we are moving to the place where our missionary work is a true partnership in Christ and as this partnership is strengthened in feeling and in program, so will the ongoing Mission of the Church be strengthened.