Communications on Jun. 14, 2002
* Bishop Asked the Faithful for Prayer for Starving North Korean Brethren
For the 2002 Prayer Day for Reconciliation and Unity of Korean People on June 23, the Most Rev. Peter Kang Woo-il, President of the Committee for the Reconciliation of Korean People of the CBCK, issued a message and asked the faithful, whenever at table, to pray for North Korean brethren, emphasizing that the internal oneness of people is more important than the external structural unification of nation.
In the message, he called for prayer and actions for starving North Koreans, separated families residing in two Koreas and the emerging North Korean defectors who are managing uncertain lives in China or Russia.
Among others he noted, "if we recklessly squander to produce ten trillion won of food waste annually but remain indifferent to numerous brothers and sisters who are suffering from starvation or wandering in foreign countries, God would not tolerate us."
"Our positive concern and support would move North Korean brethren's mind from confrontation and distrust into amicability and unity, and then the real meaning of unification of Korean people would begin," he continued.
He also said, "for the sake of peaceful unification, not oppressive one by logic of power, we need to continue dialogues and negotiations based on patience and concession. What is important for the unification of Korea is our own volition and effort to become one."
On the other hand, the Committee for the Reconciliation of Korean People of the CBCK arranged a novena from June 15 to 23 and asked for positive participation of dioceses, religious institutes, associations or organizations. The Committee also plans to hold a symposium under the theme of "The Role of the Catholic Church in Korea for the Settlement of North Korean Defectors," on June 24 at Catholic Center in Seoul.
* The Church in Korea Also Supports Successful Host of the 2002 World Cup
As excitement of the 2002 World Cup is getting more fervent across the country, the Church in Korea also gives a hand in successful host of World Cup in her own ways.
On June 9 the Archdiocese of Taegu, the venue of Korea-U.S.A. match taken place on June 10, offered an English Mass for visitors at Gyesan Cathedral of Taegu. In the Mass presided by Rev. Balthasar Kim Jong-heon participated some 200 Catholics including some 50 visitors from Canada, Republic of South Africa and the Philippines, etc.
Rev. Kim said in his homily, "we should hope that this World Cup could be a festive place for all the people to share genuine fraternal love as children of God, not just a competition field."
After the Mass a South African visitor Hilton Moodaley said, "through today's Mass I could recognize that we are all brothers and sisters regardless of nationality," and expressed gratitude to the Archdiocese of Taegu for arranging an English Mass.
The Archdiocese of Taegu will offer an English Mass for visitors once more on June 30.
Similarly, the Diocese of Chonju celebrated an English Mass on June 9 with the Most Rev. Vincent Ri Pyung-ho presiding at Jungang Cathedral of Chonju.
In addition, on the same day the Committee for Promotion of 2002 World Cup of the Diocese of Chonju(President: Rev. Benedict Kim Byeong-un) held a musical concert by Jeollabuk-do Children Orchestra as a part of cultural functions. The young musicians played various musics, including folk songs of Poland and Portugal with whom Korean team belongs to the same group in the World Cup league.
Also Myeongdong Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Seoul holds classic concerts for free every Saturday in June in memorial of the dedication of Coste Hall and for the celebration of the 2002 World Cup. And the Cathedral offers Masses in English, Spanish and French every Sunday morning in June.
In the meantime, many parishes in other dioceses established big screens for people to gather and watch football games together. On June 4 when Korean team's first game against Poland took place, many faithful of Jangwui-dong parish in the Archdiocese of Seoul(Pastor: Rev. Joseph Song Myeong-eun) attended a Mass wishing for a successful World Cup. After the mass they gathered around a big screen with other people in town and enjoyed cheering for the Korean team in chorus.
For the 2002 Prayer Day for Reconciliation and Unity of Korean People on June 23, the Most Rev. Peter Kang Woo-il, President of the Committee for the Reconciliation of Korean People of the CBCK, issued a message and asked the faithful, whenever at table, to pray for North Korean brethren, emphasizing that the internal oneness of people is more important than the external structural unification of nation.
In the message, he called for prayer and actions for starving North Koreans, separated families residing in two Koreas and the emerging North Korean defectors who are managing uncertain lives in China or Russia.
Among others he noted, "if we recklessly squander to produce ten trillion won of food waste annually but remain indifferent to numerous brothers and sisters who are suffering from starvation or wandering in foreign countries, God would not tolerate us."
"Our positive concern and support would move North Korean brethren's mind from confrontation and distrust into amicability and unity, and then the real meaning of unification of Korean people would begin," he continued.
He also said, "for the sake of peaceful unification, not oppressive one by logic of power, we need to continue dialogues and negotiations based on patience and concession. What is important for the unification of Korea is our own volition and effort to become one."
On the other hand, the Committee for the Reconciliation of Korean People of the CBCK arranged a novena from June 15 to 23 and asked for positive participation of dioceses, religious institutes, associations or organizations. The Committee also plans to hold a symposium under the theme of "The Role of the Catholic Church in Korea for the Settlement of North Korean Defectors," on June 24 at Catholic Center in Seoul.
* The Church in Korea Also Supports Successful Host of the 2002 World Cup
As excitement of the 2002 World Cup is getting more fervent across the country, the Church in Korea also gives a hand in successful host of World Cup in her own ways.
On June 9 the Archdiocese of Taegu, the venue of Korea-U.S.A. match taken place on June 10, offered an English Mass for visitors at Gyesan Cathedral of Taegu. In the Mass presided by Rev. Balthasar Kim Jong-heon participated some 200 Catholics including some 50 visitors from Canada, Republic of South Africa and the Philippines, etc.
Rev. Kim said in his homily, "we should hope that this World Cup could be a festive place for all the people to share genuine fraternal love as children of God, not just a competition field."
After the Mass a South African visitor Hilton Moodaley said, "through today's Mass I could recognize that we are all brothers and sisters regardless of nationality," and expressed gratitude to the Archdiocese of Taegu for arranging an English Mass.
The Archdiocese of Taegu will offer an English Mass for visitors once more on June 30.
Similarly, the Diocese of Chonju celebrated an English Mass on June 9 with the Most Rev. Vincent Ri Pyung-ho presiding at Jungang Cathedral of Chonju.
In addition, on the same day the Committee for Promotion of 2002 World Cup of the Diocese of Chonju(President: Rev. Benedict Kim Byeong-un) held a musical concert by Jeollabuk-do Children Orchestra as a part of cultural functions. The young musicians played various musics, including folk songs of Poland and Portugal with whom Korean team belongs to the same group in the World Cup league.
Also Myeongdong Cathedral in the Archdiocese of Seoul holds classic concerts for free every Saturday in June in memorial of the dedication of Coste Hall and for the celebration of the 2002 World Cup. And the Cathedral offers Masses in English, Spanish and French every Sunday morning in June.
In the meantime, many parishes in other dioceses established big screens for people to gather and watch football games together. On June 4 when Korean team's first game against Poland took place, many faithful of Jangwui-dong parish in the Archdiocese of Seoul(Pastor: Rev. Joseph Song Myeong-eun) attended a Mass wishing for a successful World Cup. After the mass they gathered around a big screen with other people in town and enjoyed cheering for the Korean team in chorus.