Church bells ring out for the Republic of China

Catholic church bells in Taiwan rangout in unison on 1 January 2011 to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Republic of China (ROC). 100 churches and a few Catholic institutes in seven dioceses across Taiwan rang bells for 100 seconds on New Year’s day.

It also had special prayer intentions to pray for the country during the Masses on Jan. 1, the solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. In Taipei archdiocese, the Immaculate Conception Cathedral and the Fu Jen Catholic University, the bell tolling and the celebration Masses were held at 10:00am.

Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan (third left) and other
religious leaders announcing the centenary celebrations

The Chinese section of the Radio Veritas Asia also broadcasted 100 seconds of bell tolls at 5:00am and 6:00pm. This was the Catholic Church’s response to the Ministry of Interior’s appeal to all religions to offer blessing to Taiwan as the celebration of ROC’s centenary begins. Interior Minister Jiang Yi-huah had invited Archbishop John Hung Shan-chuan of Taipei, president of the bishops’ conference, and leaders of other religions to a press conference on Dec. 28 to announce the blessing activity. The government also encourages all Taiwanese to “give blessings to the world, to the country, to our relatives and friends and ourselves,” he said.

An uprising in Wuchang, central China, on Oct. 10, 1911, launched the Xinhai Revolution that led to the overthrown of the Qing Dynasty and the official founding of the ROC on Jan. 1, 1912. However, during the civil war that began in 1945, the Communist Party took over the mainland and founded the People’s Republic of China on Oct. 1, 1949 while the ruling Kuomintang (nationalist party) set up the ROC government in Taiwan which has lasted until now.

In 2011, Taiwan will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the ROC with activities leading up to the National Day on Oct. 10. Across the straits, mainland China will also celebrate the centenary of Xinhai Revolution. - UCA News