CBCK News
2009-08-24 12:12
2009-08-24 12:12
7,919
Communications on Apr. 12, 2002
* Archdiocese of Kwangju Invites the Faithful to Pray for Peace in Middle East

The Most Rev. Andrew Choi, Archbishop of Kwangju, invited the faithful to pray for the peace in Middle East and the Holy Land, sending the following letter to parishes and religious communities.
"The Holy Father asked Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, to convey his desire to all believers, that is, to intensify their prayers for the peace of Middle East, especially of the Holy Land. Let us pray in union with the Holy Father who invited all pastors of various local Churches to pray for this dramatic situation.
The Redeemer Jesus Christ who suffered, died and arose made a gift of peace to all of us. If we pray for the peace in Middle East and the Holy Land, Jesus Christ who overcame suffering and death will bring about peace there. Israel and Palestine were originally of same people chosen by God. As we experienced the tragedy of a fratricidal war, we should pray for them, thinking how distressed Jesus and Mary are now due to this tragedy. Let us pray together."


* Marriage Encounter of Seoul Celebrated 25th Anniversary

Worldwide Marriage Encounter of Seoul(Directors: Mr. Joseph Min Yang-gi & Mrs. Juliana Kang Kwang-sun, Spir. Dir.: Rev. Barnabas Choi Jun-woong) celebrated 25th anniversary of the inauguration and had the 8th family meeting on April 5.
At the event held under the theme of "Perpetual Dialogue toward Father" attended the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong, Archbishop of Seoul, some 20 ME related priests, and 3,000 ME members in Seoul.
Pointing out the dramatic increase of divorce rate of our society, the Most Rev. Cheong said, "Because of the prevailing materialism, spiritual and moral values of our society are undermined, and this leads to the destruction of family," and asked all ME family members to continue dialogue in trust and love between spouses and between parents and children in the grace of God.
Marriage Encounter in Korea was initiated in February 1976 when three Korean couples and a Maryknoll priest held English "Weekend meeting".


* Anti-Death Penalty Campaign to Step up its Publicity Activities

The Sub-Committee to Abolish Death Penalty affiliated to the Committee for Justice and Peace of the CBCK(President. Most Rev. Choi Young-soo) decided at meeting held on March 26 to accelerate the campaign and its publicity activities, and to call for forgiveness and reconciliation between family members of victims and assaulters.
The members of the Committee agreed on the need to carry out the campaign and pastoral care for victims simultaneously so that it contributed to building a society of forgiveness and reconciliation by abolishing death penalty system that was a second violence and decided to make a visit to the President Kim Dae-jung for abolishment of the death penalty.
As part of realization of decision the Committee planed 4-week Street Concert at the entrance of the Myongdong Cathedral in Seoul from April 20 with a theme of "For Forgiveness and Reconciliation", Citizens' Concert on May 22 at the main Hall of Dongseong High School in Seoul, and a Memorial Service for victims in a temple in collaboration with the Buddhist Chogye Order.
Volunteering musicians and artists will join 4-week Street Concert and other cultural events.
These musicians have been working for condemned criminals and prisoners since 10 years by visiting them in prisons.
"We decided to join the campaign and contribute to the event when we knew that the purpose of this event was to console the heart of victims and to help them to heal scars and hurts in their hearts so that they might be able to forgive and reconcile," they said.