CBCK News
Communication on August 24, 2007
2009.08.27 11:09
* Korea Youth Day 2007 Jeju
The Korea Youth Day 2007 (KYD) was held with the theme “They may all be one” (Jn 17:21), in Jeju, from August 18 to 21, 2007. This event took place under the joint auspices of the CBCK Committee for Youth Ministry (President: Most Rev. Basil Cho Kyu-man) and the Diocese of Cheju.
The KYD was held for the first time to animate the faith of youth. Some 4,000 people including Catholic youth from the whole country, young and adult volunteers from the Diocese of Cheju, the performers and staffs of the organizing committee for the KYD participated in this event.
Beginning with the opening Mass at the St. Isidore Center on August 18, the participants had an opportunity to strengthen their faith through homestay in Catholic families, liturgical experiences in various areas, Sacrament of Penance, festival, and closing ceremony.
As a culmination of the KYD, the concluding Mass was presided over by the Most Rev. Peter Kang U-il, Bishop of Cheju and President of the organizing committee for the KYD, with the concelebration of bishops and priests from every diocese in Korea, on August 20, in the main courtyard of the House of Youth of the St. Isidore.
In his homily, Bishop Kang said, "Although most of you did not know each other when you first met, Christ has wanted us all to be one." And he added, "I hope that you become pioneers to lead the new era of peace, as it depends on young generation to open new historical era."
In the farewell address after the Mass, His Eminence Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul, said, "The Lord is always with you. During the KYD, you could feel and experience it in your heart." Then he invited the participants to pray for God who accompanied them for the KYD and not to forget the presence of our Lord even in the difficulties.
The organizing committee for the KYD proposed to hold the KYD every three years so that the youth can confirm and strengthen their faith.
* The Worst Flood Disaster in 40 years in North Korea
It is reported that the North Korea has been hit by the recent flood disaster, the worst in 40 years. The Church in South Korea is making every possible effort to aid the flood victims in North Korea.
The Permanent Council of the CBCK on August 21, 2007 approved the plan of the CBCK Committee for "Caritas Corea" (President: Most Rev. Lazzaro You Heung-sik) to establish a relief fund at the national level for helping the North Korean flood victims.
Caritas Corea, as the steering group for the North Korea programme of Caritas Internationalis, sent an official letter to pastoral directors of each diocesan Caritas and requested them to talk with their Diocesan Ordinary about prayers and a fund-raising campaign for the North Koreans who are suffering from the extreme flooding. Caritas Corea tries to inform Caritas member organizations throughout the world of the present situation of the flood disaster in North Korea and it plans together with them to provide humanitarian aid. It also seeks to grasp the situation and organize a support plan through practical contacts with groups in the North such as the National Economic Cooperation Federation of North Korea.
Caritas Corea, as the steering group for the North Korea programme of Caritas Internationalis, sent an official letter to pastoral directors of each diocesan Caritas and requested them to talk with their Diocesan Ordinary about prayers and a fund-raising campaign for the North Koreans who are suffering from the extreme flooding. Caritas Corea tries to inform Caritas member organizations throughout the world of the present situation of the flood disaster in North Korea and it plans together with them to provide humanitarian aid. It also seeks to grasp the situation and organize a support plan through practical contacts with groups in the North such as the National Economic Cooperation Federation of North Korea.
Every diocese in South Korea has supported the flood victims in the North by having special collections for them during Sunday Mass.
The Archdiocese of Seoul asked all its parishes to offer a special prayer for North Koreans who are suffering from the natural disaster and to have a special collection for them on August 26 (the 24th Sunday in ordinary time) as a sign of fraternal love.
The Most Rev. Lazzaro You Heung-sik, Bishop of Daejeon, in a letter to the diocesan priests dated August 19, issued a special statement entitled "On the occasion of collecting special offerings for the flood victims of North Korea." In this statement, he said, "To love Jesus within those in difficulty is a task of the Church which is pleasing and desirable to the Lord. Therefore, I invite you to offer a special prayer and to have a special collection for the flood victims on August 26 or September 2, 2007."
