Communication on August 13
* Bishops Issue Messages for the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary
On the occasion of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, and the Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon Hyok-ju, Bishop of Andong, issued Messages and called on all Christians to make efforts to bring the peace of the Kingdom of God to this land.
Archbishop Cheong, in his Message titled "Omnia vincit amor (Love conquers all)," said, "It is the duty of all Christians to make peace in all circumstances," and continued, "the Assumption of Mary is a sign of comfort and hope foretelling the glory which all believers will enjoy when the salvation history completes." He continued, "We should exert ourselves to recognize the will of God and put it into practice following the example of Mary who was always obedient to God in any circumstances."
Mentioning the erection of the Diocese of Uijongbu, he especially urged the faithful to pray for the North Korean brethren so that they can enjoy the genuine liberation within the love of God. He said, "We the believers should first positively struggle to realize the unity and peace of the two Koreas."
Concluding the Message, he asked the faithful to promote and actively participate in the "Beautiful Family and Beautiful World" Movement, recently launched by the Lay Apostolate Council of Korea, because the current society suffers from various problems, such as the wide gap between the rich and the poor, domestic problems, disrespect of life, sexual degradation and high rate of divorce.
The Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon Hyok-ju, Bishop of Andong, also issued a Message title "Mary Singing the Peace of the Kingdom of God." In the Message, he delineated things we can do for peace, among which are to embrace and love all people without condition, to make efforts for the reconciliation and unification of Korean people, to make the world a place where all people are equally treated, to serve the poor and the marginalized, to give hope to farmers who are in a plight, to take care of the sick, to console the mourning, to proclaim God to those who have not heard about Him and to create joy and beauty wherever we are.
He also stressed that we should make efforts "to bring the peace of the Kingdom of God to this land," saying that, "If we try to practice any one of the things mentioned above, we can be the peacemakers (cf. Mt 5,9)."
* FABC 8th Plenary Assembly Opens in Daejeon, Korea
From August 17 to 23, 2004, the Eighth Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences is to be held at St. Joseph's Major Seminary and St. J. Hasang Education Centre in Daejeon, Korea, under the theme "The Asian Family toward a Culture of Life." Some 200 people, including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful in Asia, will participate in the Plenary Assembly, which is held every fourth year.
On the occasion of the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary on August 15, the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, and the Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon Hyok-ju, Bishop of Andong, issued Messages and called on all Christians to make efforts to bring the peace of the Kingdom of God to this land.
Archbishop Cheong, in his Message titled "Omnia vincit amor (Love conquers all)," said, "It is the duty of all Christians to make peace in all circumstances," and continued, "the Assumption of Mary is a sign of comfort and hope foretelling the glory which all believers will enjoy when the salvation history completes." He continued, "We should exert ourselves to recognize the will of God and put it into practice following the example of Mary who was always obedient to God in any circumstances."
Mentioning the erection of the Diocese of Uijongbu, he especially urged the faithful to pray for the North Korean brethren so that they can enjoy the genuine liberation within the love of God. He said, "We the believers should first positively struggle to realize the unity and peace of the two Koreas."
Concluding the Message, he asked the faithful to promote and actively participate in the "Beautiful Family and Beautiful World" Movement, recently launched by the Lay Apostolate Council of Korea, because the current society suffers from various problems, such as the wide gap between the rich and the poor, domestic problems, disrespect of life, sexual degradation and high rate of divorce.
The Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon Hyok-ju, Bishop of Andong, also issued a Message title "Mary Singing the Peace of the Kingdom of God." In the Message, he delineated things we can do for peace, among which are to embrace and love all people without condition, to make efforts for the reconciliation and unification of Korean people, to make the world a place where all people are equally treated, to serve the poor and the marginalized, to give hope to farmers who are in a plight, to take care of the sick, to console the mourning, to proclaim God to those who have not heard about Him and to create joy and beauty wherever we are.
He also stressed that we should make efforts "to bring the peace of the Kingdom of God to this land," saying that, "If we try to practice any one of the things mentioned above, we can be the peacemakers (cf. Mt 5,9)."
* FABC 8th Plenary Assembly Opens in Daejeon, Korea
From August 17 to 23, 2004, the Eighth Plenary Assembly of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences is to be held at St. Joseph's Major Seminary and St. J. Hasang Education Centre in Daejeon, Korea, under the theme "The Asian Family toward a Culture of Life." Some 200 people, including cardinals, bishops, priests, religious and lay faithful in Asia, will participate in the Plenary Assembly, which is held every fourth year.