Universal Peace Federation Nederland Meeting for Special Invitees in Utrecht, Netherlands

U niversal Peace Federation Nederland (UPF- NL) held a meeting for “special invitees”, including existing UPF Ambassadors for Peace, on Thursday, August 28, 2014, in the School of Catholic Theology in Utrecht. Christopher Vipond Davies, UPF-NL Rapporteur ; see at - http://www.upf.org/upf-news/145-asia- oceania/6012-world-summit-2014-addresses-peace- security-and-development There then followed three presentations under the The meeting was described as having an informative general heading “Christianity in China”: character and was opened by the Chairman Jhr. Dr. “The Catholic Church in today’s China”, by Father P.A. Beelaerts van Blokland with a Bible reading and Jeroom Heyndrickx, former Roman Catholic CICM some general comments. This was followed by a missionary - report of the World Summit in Korea entitled “Peace, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CICM_Missionaries - Security and Human Development”, August 9 to 13 in and senior advisor to the Verbiest Foundation at the Seoul, written by Ms. Joy Pople , Director, Office of Catholic University of Leuven - Publications UPF International, and read by

http://www.kuleuven.be/verbiest He gave a quick a recognition of Chinese identity. There is, for overview of the history of the Catholic Church in example, a development of a Chinese strain of Islam, China and spoke from personal experience of the which includes a beautiful Chinese mosque. great difficulties of Christianity in China, and the After a short break and fortified by refreshments particular challenges of dealing with the Communist provided by UPF activists Rudy and Thea Ryntjes, the government, which wished to approve, even appoint, program continued with animated discussion, members of the clergy, and also of mediating with questions and answers. the Vatican. Father Jeroom indicated that in the course of time the Chinese Communist leadership A UPF perspective on “Navigating between loyalty to and the Vatican had started to have more and more God and to the State” was provided by Drs. Wim dialogue. Some of the Christian churches are Koetsier, UPF-NL Secretary General, who talked underground and some are official under the about the challenges in Europe as well as in China. He umbrella of a “patriotic” Chinese organization. The asserted that the struggle between God and the State recent explosive growth of Christian churches in reflected the struggle between God and fallen China is a hopeful sign, but this should not lead to mankind. In history, God reaches out to mankind in confrontation with the Chinese authorities but to order to bring people back to God’s Original Plan. constructive dialogue, aiming at a better China. With love and care, God, as a Parent,stays in dialogue with His children, sending prophets, His own Son “How can you be ‘Christian’ and Chinese in Jesus and people such as Gandhi, Martin Luther King Southeast Asia and shape your identity?” by Dr. and Mother Theresa, who are examples of loving the Charles Steenbrink, Professor Emeritus in enemy. Progress in history comes when people on Intercultural Theology at Utrecht University, with the side of God can win the enemy to the side of particular reference to Indonesia, a predominantly goodness. This is the challenge for all religious Muslim country. Some scientists think that Islam people, also for the Christians in China. came to Indonesia through Chinese Muslims, others have the opinion that it came through trade relations Wim Koetsier then drew attention to future UPF with Muslim countries in the Middle East. Islam in events: Prof. Dr. B.P. Vermeulen talking on Freedom Indonesia, where for instance there are women in of Religion, November 13, and Eric van ’t Zelfde on high positions, is quite different from the norm. In the “Superschool”, December 11; there would also be the past, Chinese people were distrusted, being seen celebrations of United Nations days: September 21, as connected to Chinese communism. Often they Day of Peace; and December 10, “Human Rights”. became the scapegoat when Indonesia went through Finally, Wim Koetsier presented Ambassador for difficult times. It looked like the Chinese in Indonesia Peace certificates to the two speakers, and Dr. integrated completely, but since 1998 there is more Beelaerts van Blokland closed the meeting in his freedom for other religions like Confucianism and for usual jovial manner.