TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Outrage erupted among Taiwan's Catholic community Monday (Dec. 16) after Taiwan People's Party (民眾黨) Legislator Chen Gau-tzu (陳昭姿) likened the Virgin Mary to a surrogate mother during a discussion on the Assisted Reproduction Act (人工生殖法).
The comparison drew criticism from Democratic Progressive Party (民進黨) legislators and prompted Chen Gau-tzu to apologize on Facebook, admitting her lack of understanding of biblical teachings. Michael Jhen-Kui Chen (陳振貴), former chairman of Taiwan's Catholic group, condemned the analogy as inappropriate and disrespectful to Catholics and Christians.
He emphasized that surrogacy involves scientific technology, while the Virgin Mary's birth of Jesus is a divine miracle. He pointed out that Mary holds a unique and exalted position in the Catholic faith and should not be equated to a surrogate mother.
Chen explained that the Virgin Mary, as the mother of Jesus Christ, plays a crucial role in salvation and is revered by the church and its followers. He noted that Jesus' birth through Mary facilitated reconciliation between humanity and God. He also regarded "Christmas" as an opportunity for non-Catholics to understand the significance of the Virgin Mary.
