Communication on June 23, 2006
* Message Issued for the Prayer Day for Reconciliation and Unity of Korean People
The Most Rev. Lucas Kim Woon-hoe, President of the CBCK Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, issued a message for the 2006 Prayer Day for Reconciliation and Unity of Korean People on June 25, and called on the faithful to "be an instrument of peace in this land by reconciling our society and then reconciling our nation, in conformity to the command of our Lord who entrusted the mission of reconciliation to us."
Noting the sorrowful reality caused by the national division, Bishop Kim explained the obstacles to peace settlement in this land, namely, the constant military tension, the economic difficulty and poor condition of human rights in North Korea, and the division of South Korean society.
"The Church as the apostle of reconciliation continues to pray for the brotherly sharing and peaceful reunification." He added, "We should first examine ourselves whether we share the pain of those suffering from the history stained with national division."
In conclusion, he expressed hope for the future, saying, "Our faith and our desire for peace can bear and overcome every difficulty. As long as we hope to understand the poor situation of our brethren and proclaim the gospel to them, God will accomplish a marvelous plan for our people."
* Eucharistic Congress Opened in the Archdiocese of Seoul
On June 18, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Archdiocese of Seoul launched the diocesan Eucharistic Congress with the opening Mass in each parish. This three-month congress will be concluded with a solemn Mass in October.
The Eucharistic Congress took "Christ, Our Life" as its theme and "Choose Life" (Dt 30:19) as its subtitle. By focusing on life, it will promote diversified activities among the faithful, such as promotion of the culture of life and campaigns for organ donation, for domestic adoption and for saving 100 won (about ten cents) a day.
His Eminence Nicholas Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul, said in his homily in the opening Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral of Seoul, "The essence of the Eucharist is the act of love to share our own life and the service in the spirit of humility." He also urged to "become the agents in defending life against the anti-life trend of the world where various problems are prevailing, including declining birth rate, abortion, euthanasia, war, violence, break-up of the family, and manipulation of life in bioengineering."
The Rev. Benedict Kwak Seong-min, Chairman of the Preparation Committee for the Eucharistic Congress, said, "This congress, with focusing on life and sharing, is not a one-day event but a constant offering throughout the year."
* Cardinal Cheong Issues a Pastoral Letter for Environment
His Eminence Nicholas Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul, issued a pastoral letter entitled "Ecclesial Community Living an Ecological Life" and suggested the structure and direction for the ministry of environment for the Archdiocese. It is the first time for a diocesan bishop in the Catholic Church in Korea to issue a pastoral letter regarding the issue of environment.
The 16-page letter is composed of four parts: the background and meaning of this letter; the efforts by the Archdiocese for maintaining the created order; the ecological crisis and problems; and the pastoral suggestion for the ecclesial community to live an environmentally friendly life.
Cardinal Cheong said in the letter, "The ecological crisis is one of the most important issues in our time. And the real reason for the crisis is nothing but us, the human being." The problems he suggested as the ecological crisis include the concentrated use of fossil energy, the threat to the diversity of species, the side effect of petrochemical agriculture, the shortage and unbalanced distribution of food, and the insufficient degree of food self-support.
He emphasized, "The Church should give priority to the practice of the gospel by transforming our life to sustainable and renewable way."
In this context, he suggested several practical ways to maintain the created order: to break down the walls of each parish; to open and operate the so-called flea market for moderate consumption; to consume natural food; to provide ecological programs or camps for the youth; to offer catechesis for the youth in green environment; and to open re-education program for the adult faithful regarding the responsibility for every creature.
The Most Rev. Lucas Kim Woon-hoe, President of the CBCK Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, issued a message for the 2006 Prayer Day for Reconciliation and Unity of Korean People on June 25, and called on the faithful to "be an instrument of peace in this land by reconciling our society and then reconciling our nation, in conformity to the command of our Lord who entrusted the mission of reconciliation to us."
Noting the sorrowful reality caused by the national division, Bishop Kim explained the obstacles to peace settlement in this land, namely, the constant military tension, the economic difficulty and poor condition of human rights in North Korea, and the division of South Korean society.
"The Church as the apostle of reconciliation continues to pray for the brotherly sharing and peaceful reunification." He added, "We should first examine ourselves whether we share the pain of those suffering from the history stained with national division."
In conclusion, he expressed hope for the future, saying, "Our faith and our desire for peace can bear and overcome every difficulty. As long as we hope to understand the poor situation of our brethren and proclaim the gospel to them, God will accomplish a marvelous plan for our people."
* Eucharistic Congress Opened in the Archdiocese of Seoul
On June 18, the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, the Archdiocese of Seoul launched the diocesan Eucharistic Congress with the opening Mass in each parish. This three-month congress will be concluded with a solemn Mass in October.
The Eucharistic Congress took "Christ, Our Life" as its theme and "Choose Life" (Dt 30:19) as its subtitle. By focusing on life, it will promote diversified activities among the faithful, such as promotion of the culture of life and campaigns for organ donation, for domestic adoption and for saving 100 won (about ten cents) a day.
His Eminence Nicholas Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul, said in his homily in the opening Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral of Seoul, "The essence of the Eucharist is the act of love to share our own life and the service in the spirit of humility." He also urged to "become the agents in defending life against the anti-life trend of the world where various problems are prevailing, including declining birth rate, abortion, euthanasia, war, violence, break-up of the family, and manipulation of life in bioengineering."
The Rev. Benedict Kwak Seong-min, Chairman of the Preparation Committee for the Eucharistic Congress, said, "This congress, with focusing on life and sharing, is not a one-day event but a constant offering throughout the year."
* Cardinal Cheong Issues a Pastoral Letter for Environment
His Eminence Nicholas Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop of Seoul, issued a pastoral letter entitled "Ecclesial Community Living an Ecological Life" and suggested the structure and direction for the ministry of environment for the Archdiocese. It is the first time for a diocesan bishop in the Catholic Church in Korea to issue a pastoral letter regarding the issue of environment.
The 16-page letter is composed of four parts: the background and meaning of this letter; the efforts by the Archdiocese for maintaining the created order; the ecological crisis and problems; and the pastoral suggestion for the ecclesial community to live an environmentally friendly life.
Cardinal Cheong said in the letter, "The ecological crisis is one of the most important issues in our time. And the real reason for the crisis is nothing but us, the human being." The problems he suggested as the ecological crisis include the concentrated use of fossil energy, the threat to the diversity of species, the side effect of petrochemical agriculture, the shortage and unbalanced distribution of food, and the insufficient degree of food self-support.
He emphasized, "The Church should give priority to the practice of the gospel by transforming our life to sustainable and renewable way."
In this context, he suggested several practical ways to maintain the created order: to break down the walls of each parish; to open and operate the so-called flea market for moderate consumption; to consume natural food; to provide ecological programs or camps for the youth; to offer catechesis for the youth in green environment; and to open re-education program for the adult faithful regarding the responsibility for every creature.