女士們、先生們，各位尊貴的來賓，致力於自由與人類尊嚴事業的朋友們：今天，我很榮幸能站在這里，向一位非凡的人類公仆——羅蘭·庫納牧師致敬。在歷史長河中，總有一些時刻，普通人會選擇保持沈默以求安穩。但也總有一些非凡之士，選擇堅守信念、勇敢發聲。羅蘭·庫納正是屬於後者。 他用一生向世人證明：真正的信仰絕不能僅僅局限於教堂的圍墻之內。真正的信仰必須走向街頭，與受壓迫者站在一起，為無法發聲者仗義執言，並在任何不公義之處挺身挑戰。正如先知彌迦所言：「世人哪，耶和華已指示你何為善。他向你所要的是什麼呢？只要你行公義，好憐憫，存謙卑的心，與你的神同行。」（《彌迦書》6章8節）
羅蘭德牧師正是這樣踐行這些教導的。 當世界目睹1989年天安門廣場的悲劇時，他拒絕視而不見。當劉曉波僅僅因為堅信每個人都應享有自由與尊嚴而身陷囹圄時，羅蘭德拒絕保持沈默。當旁人認為無力回天時，他前往柏林，在中國大使館外搭建了一間象征性的牢房，以此提醒世人：盡管一個人被囚禁了，但真理本身永遠無法被囚禁。年復一年……歷經嚴寒冬日……頂著風雪與凜冽寒風……他一次次帶著學生重返那里——並非因為抗議是件輕松愜意的事，而是因為良知的召喚使然。馬丁·路德·金曾言：「最大的悲劇，不是壞人的囂張跋扈與殘忍行徑，而是好人的沈默不語。」羅蘭·屈內選擇了永不沈默。他的堅守並未局限於某一個國家。他為身陷囹圄者仗義執言。他捍衛西藏人民、維吾爾族同胞、香港市民，以及所有那些被剝奪了自由的人——而這些自由，我們許多人往往視作理所當然。他鼓勵年輕人不要僅僅將民主視為一種政治制度，而應將其視為一份必須由每一代人共同守護的珍貴禮物。然而，羅蘭德最令人欽佩之處在於，他的悲憫之心不僅停留在言語之上。 更體現在他的實際行動與服務之中。海地發生毀滅性地震後，他和學生們自費前往當地。不是作為遊客。不是作為旁觀者。而是作為奉獻服務的踐行者。他們一磚一瓦地建造學校，只為讓孩子們擁有希望、受教育的機會以及美好的未來。他們身體力行地實踐了主耶穌基督的教導：「這些事你們既做在我這弟兄中一個最小的身上，就是做在我身上了。」（馬太福音 25:40） 這就是付諸行動的信仰。這就是「長著雙手」的神學。這就是化為可見之形的愛。羅蘭德曾說，即使是看似「滄海一粟」的微小舉動，也可能成為一場傾盆大雨的開端。歷史一次又一次地證明了他是對的。每一場偉大的正義運動，都始於有人願意邁出那第一步。
一個聲音。一個行動。一個拒絕放棄希望的人。劉曉波本人曾寫道：「我沒有敵人。」這些非凡的話語提醒我們，爭取人權的鬥爭絕非源於仇恨。它源於愛。對真理的愛。對自由的愛。對每一個擁有與生俱來尊嚴之人的愛。今天，我們向羅蘭德·庫納牧師致敬，因為他以謙卑、勇氣和毅力詮釋了這些價值觀。他向一代又一代學生展示了：品格重於安逸……勇氣勝於恐懼……而沒有行動的信仰是不完整的。羅蘭德牧師， 我謹代表在場的所有人，向您致以謝意。感謝您提醒我們：希望勝過絕望。真理勝過宣傳。良知勝過恐嚇。而一個堅守信念的生命，足以影響世世代代。願上帝繼續加添您的力量，祝福您的家庭與事工，並激勵更多人追隨您那非凡的榜樣。因此，我懷著無比的喜悅、深深的敬意與由衷的欽佩，將2026年度劉曉波人權獎頒發給羅蘭德·庫納牧師。恭喜！
Laudation for Pastor Roland Kühne
Presented by Archbishop Costakis C. Evangelou MBE Liu Xiaobo Human Rights Award Ceremony Leipzig – 13 July 2026 Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Guests, Friends in the cause of freedom and human dignity, It is both a profound honour and a personal privilege to stand before you today as we celebrate an extraordinary servant of humanity, Pastor Roland Kühne. There are moments in history when ordinary people choose the safety of silence. And there are those rare individuals who choose the courage of conviction. Roland Kühne belongs to that second group. Throughout his life he has demonstrated that genuine faith cannot remain confined within the walls of a church. True faith must walk into the streets, stand beside the oppressed, defend the voiceless and challenge injustice wherever it is found. The prophet Micah reminds us: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8) Pastor Roland has lived those words. When the world witnessed the tragedy of Tiananmen Square in 1989, he refused to look away.When Liu Xiaobo was imprisoned simply because he believed every human being should enjoy freedom and dignity, Roland refused to remain silent. When others accepted that nothing could be done, he travelled to Berlin, built a symbolic prison cell outside the Chinese Embassy, and reminded the world that although one man had been imprisoned, truth itself could never be imprisoned. Year after year… through freezing winters… through snow and bitter winds… he returned with his students, not because protest was convenient, but because conscience demanded it. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” Roland Kühne chose never to be silent. His commitment did not stop with one nation. He has spoken for the imprisoned.He has defended the people of Tibet, the Uyghurs, the people of Hong Kong and all those denied the freedoms that many of us too easily take for granted. He has encouraged young people to see democracy not merely as a political system, but as a precious gift that must be protected by every generation. Yet what makes Roland especially remarkable is that his compassion is not limited to speaking. It is also found in serving. Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti, he and his students travelled there at their own expense. Not as tourists. Not as observers. But as servants. Brick by brick they built schools so that children might have hope, education and a future. They lived the words of our Lord Jesus Christ: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of Mine, you did for Me.” (Matthew 25:40) This is faith in action. This is theology with hands. This is love made visible. Roland once said that even what appears to be only “a drop in the ocean” can become the beginning of a downpour.History repeatedly proves him right. Every great movement for justice began with someone willing to take the first step. One voice. One act. One person refusing to surrender hope. Liu Xiaobo himself wrote: “I have no enemies.” Those remarkable words remind us that the struggle for human rights is never driven by hatred. It is driven by love. Love for truth. Love for freedom. Love for every person created with inherent dignity. Today we honour Pastor Roland Kühne because he has embodied those values with humility, courage and perseverance. He has shown generations of students that character matters more than comfort… that courage is stronger than fear… and that faith without action is incomplete. Pastor Roland, On behalf of all gathered here, it is my privilege to thank you. Thank you for reminding us that hope is stronger than despair. That truth is stronger than propaganda. That conscience is stronger than intimidation. And that one faithful life can influence generations. May God continue to strengthen you, bless your family, bless your ministry, and inspire many others to follow your remarkable example. It is therefore with great joy, deep respect and heartfelt admiration that I present the 2026 Liu Xiaobo Human Rights Award to Pastor Roland Kühne. Congratulations.
Thank you.
