* Opening of the 2nd Synod of the Archdiocese of Daegu

The Archdiocese of Daegu opened the 2nd Archdiocesan Synod under the theme of " New Evangelization in New Era" to mark its 100th anniversary of the establishment.

The Synod started with the Opening Mass at Gyesan Cathedral of Daegu on April 8, 2011. The Most Rev. Thaddeus Cho Hwan-kil, Archbishop of Daegu, presided over and concelebrated the Mass with the Most Rev. Paul Ri Moun-hi, Archbishop Emeritus of Daegu, the Most Rev. René Dupont, M.E.P., Bishop Emeritus of Andong, the Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon Hyok-ju, Bishop of Andong, the Most Rev. Joseph Son Sam-seok, Auxiliary Bishop of Pusan, and the Rt. Rev. Simon Petro Ri Hyong-u, Abbot of the Order of St. Benedict Waegwan Abbey, and other priests.

Announcing the opening of the Archdiocesan Synod, Archbishop Cho stressed, "With rapid changes in society young people turn away from the Church and 'non-practising Catholics' are on the increase. The Church should face up to the present situation and find a strategy for new evangelization." He added, "We should make our archdiocesan synod an opportunity to understand God's will in these times and renew ourselves."

After opening the Synod, Archbishop Cho gave his appointment letters to the representatives of 450 synod members, including Rev. John Lee Yong-kil, Vicar General of the Archdiocese and President of the Central Committee for the Archdiocesan Synod.