Episcopal Messages for Easter 2012

On the occasion of Easter, April 8, 2012, the bishops of Korea issued Easter messages.

In his Easter message, H.E. Nicholas Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul, said, “A life with faith in the resurrection means a life of love, sacrifice and service in conformity with the teaching of Jesus.” He added, “The Catholic Church urges citizens not to forget their rights and duties to freely cast a vote for the protection and promotion of human dignity and for the common good, both goals of political life.” He also urged the faithful to live and bear witness to the presence of the risen Lord in the world around them.

The Most Rev. Hyginus Kim Hee-joong, Archbishop of Gwangju, said, “The Risen Jesus wants all humanity and all creatures to renew their original nature as He Himself rose from the dead, so that they can abide in the joy of the resurrection.” He also asked the faithful to live a resurrected life and to participate in the divine works of creation. "We have to renew our original nature, marching together towards the goal of creation in our efforts for the harmony of all creatures.”

The Most Rev. Thaddeus Cho Hwan-kil, Archbishop of Daegu, said, “We can learn a great truth from the resurrection of Jesus, that even before we enter into eternal life after death we already live a new life right here in this world thanks to the hope and power of the resurrection." He then asked the faithful to take the initiative in social evangelization by actively participating in the coming elections. “When we cast a vote in the general election and the presidential election, an active and prudent decision by the citizens as real sovereigns is needed now more than ever.”

Other diocesan bishops urged the faithful to show the world that justice, truth and love prevail in the end through a life based on the resurrection. All of them made mention of the coming general election in their messages.