Communications on Jan. 10, 2003
* The Holy Father Confers Episcopal Ordination to the First KoreanApostolic Nuncio Msgr. Tschang
On the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, John Paul II conferred episcopal ordination to Monsignor Paul Tschang In-nam and other eleven presbyters from various nations during a Eucharistic celebration in the Vatican Basilica.
From Korea, the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul and the Most Rev. Gabriel Chang Bong-hun, Bishop of Cheongju, mother of the Most Rev. Paul Tschang, Mrs. Theresa Im Jeong-hwan and his brother, Rev. Bernard Tschang In-san, Professor at the Catholic University of Daejeon, participated in the ceremony with 40 Korean Catholics from the Diocese of Cheongju and those from Rome.
In the homily, the Holy Father said to new Bishops "Faith in Christ, the light of the world, guided your steps from childhood to the offering of yourselves to presbyteral consecration. Now Christ asks you to renew this oblation, to take on the episcopal ministry in the Church. You received the fullness of this gift, at the same time, you are asked for the fullness of commitment," and asked them to be always the Epiphany of Christ and His merciful love.
The family of the Most Rev. Paul Tschang had the honor to receive the Holy Communion from the Pope John Paul II. The Holy Father met the family in private audience.
In the congratulatory greeting, the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong, former Bishop of Cheongju, said, "it is truly a great honor and joy for the entire Church in Korea to have the first Korean Apostolic Nuncio after 220 years since the introduction of the Catholicism in Korea," and invited the participants to praise God while the Most Rev. Gabriel Chang Bong-hun, Bishops of Cheongju, promised to support him with ardent prayer of 120,000 diocesans.
The congratulatory reception was held at the Synod Hall in Vatican under the presidency of Rev. Casimir Song Yul-sup, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.
The Most Rev. Paul Tschang In-nam was appointed by the Pope John Paul II as Apostolic Nuncio in Bangladesh and titular Archbishop of Amanzia as of Oct. 19, 2002. He has worked as a diplomat for 18 years.
He was born in Cheongju in 1949 and ordained a priest on Dec. 17, 1976, after graduating from the Catholic University of Gwangju. Having served as parochial vicar in a parish in Cheongju and as undersecretary of the CBCK(Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea), he left for Rome in 1979 for study, where he obtained a doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in 1985. In the same year he started his diplomatic career, as second secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in El Salvador. After holding various posts such as first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ethiopia and in Syria, second councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature in France, first councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Greece, he became first councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgium and has served in that position since August 2000.
* Bishop Ahn Urges to Stop Human Cloning Experiment Immediately
Against the claim of the first cloned baby's birth by Clonaid, a cultic organization in pursuit of human cloning, the Most Rev. Francis Xavier Ahn Myong-ok, President of the Bioethics Committee of the CBCK, issued a statement on "human cloning experiment" on January 3 and urged to stop it immediately.
In the statement Bishop Ahn said, "though it is fundamentally necessary and important to establish law regulating human cloning, I want to first appeal to sound conscience and healthy reason of scientist," and added "I do not have the intention to violate the autonomy of science, but science can be guaranteed its freedom and autonomy insofar as it respects the human dignity." He made clear that a human being can not be a means even for the purpose of reducing the suffering of other human beings.
Noting that the birth of cloned baby shows the moral insensibility of the society, he said, "it collapses the existing concept of the origin of human being, that is, the union of a man and a woman gives birth to a human life."
He also expressed concern over the human cloning, saying, "with the increasing possibility of human intervention in human life and its manipulation, the announcement of the cloned baby's birth brings us to great confusion and shock," and pointed out that the efforts which are now being made to establish a systemic device as a countermeasure might be insufficient since it opens the possibility of human cloning experiments under certain restrictions.
* New Year's Mass for Immigrant Workers Celebrated
On January 5 the Labor Pastoral Commission of the Archdiocese of Seoul (Chairman: Rev. Andrew Heo Yun-jin) celebrated New Year's Mass with some 30 Koreans from China attending.
Rev. Andrew Heo said in his homily, "it is important to take resolution to be with God even in difficulties," and asked them "to practice the charity, the Commandment of Jesus."
During the Mass a couple from China were baptized and born anew as children of God.
Prior to this, on December 29 the Labor Pastoral Commission also offered Mass for Vietnamese workers to console their loneliness in foreign land. On the same day seven Vietnamese people including three infants were baptized which made the day's event more meaningful. After the Mass, some 200 Vietnameseattendants had cheerful time enjoying their traditional meals and performances.
* Former Secretary General of the CBCK Awarded a National Order
On December 27, Rev. John Kim Jong-su, former Secretary General of the CBCK was awarded a National Order of Camellia by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism for his efforts and merits to promote the exchange and friendly relations between South and North Korean people, and the interreligious dialogue and cooperation.
* Candlelight Prayer Meeting Held for the Abolition of Death Penalty
On December 27, a prayer meeting with candlelight was held in front of the Myongdong Cathedral of Seoul with the sponsor of the Social Correction Apostolate Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul(Chairman: Rev. Thomas Lee Young-woo).
This meeting aimed at avoiding the recurrence of the last execution of 23 condemned prisoners right after the presidential election in 1997 and also urging the president-elect Roh Moo-hyun to advance the abolition of death penalty.
Beginning with the performance of Salesian religious, the prayer meeting offered the participants time to think about the lives of the condemned prisoners who had committed crimes under the darkness of society. There was also time to urge the conversion of the criminals and to watch some videotapes regarding the abolition of death penalty.
Through this, some 120 clergy, religious, and lay Catholics clearly confirmed that "death penalty is another kind of violence."
Priscilla Hong Seong-hee, a volunteer working for inmates, said, "I wish the president-elect Roh to keep his words and abolish the death penalty during his presidency," and asked all to pray for the brittle lives of the condemned prisoners.
Rev. Lee said, "it is very nice to have thiskind of candlelight prayer meeting in the spirit of sharing the feast of life," and added, "let's kindle the candle of prayer with light of life for the abolition of death penalty."
>* Religious Circles' Fast Prayer Meeting to Urge the Amendment of Korea-U.S. SOFA
People from five religions in Korea including Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Won-Buddhism and the Anglican Church concluded the 30-day fast prayer meeting on December 31 and asked the president-elect Roh to make efforts for the amendment of the Korea-U.S. SOFA on the basis of "fairness and justice." During December 2-31, 2002, they have staged hunger strikes and prayer meeting successively.
Concluding this prayer meeting, some 30 delegates of these religions had a press conference and issued a statement and sent it to the president-elect.
They urged in the statement not to make the deaths of two schoolgirls meaningless, to resume the trial of the two U.S. soldiers at the Korean court.They also called for fair amendment of the unfair provision of Korea-U.S. SOFA regarding the criminal jurisdiction for crimes done in the performance of official duties and the U.S. President's official apology and concrete plans to avoid such an accident in the future.
Br. Leopold Im Sang-gil of Capuchins who participated in the prayer meeting with Franciscan Brothers said, "this meeting was a good opportunity to realize the importance of life and human rights of Korean people. The religious circles will continue the march for justice and peace until the current Korea-U.S. SOFA is fairly revised for we want a world where life, human rights, justice and peace are respected."
On the Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord, John Paul II conferred episcopal ordination to Monsignor Paul Tschang In-nam and other eleven presbyters from various nations during a Eucharistic celebration in the Vatican Basilica.
From Korea, the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul and the Most Rev. Gabriel Chang Bong-hun, Bishop of Cheongju, mother of the Most Rev. Paul Tschang, Mrs. Theresa Im Jeong-hwan and his brother, Rev. Bernard Tschang In-san, Professor at the Catholic University of Daejeon, participated in the ceremony with 40 Korean Catholics from the Diocese of Cheongju and those from Rome.
In the homily, the Holy Father said to new Bishops "Faith in Christ, the light of the world, guided your steps from childhood to the offering of yourselves to presbyteral consecration. Now Christ asks you to renew this oblation, to take on the episcopal ministry in the Church. You received the fullness of this gift, at the same time, you are asked for the fullness of commitment," and asked them to be always the Epiphany of Christ and His merciful love.
The family of the Most Rev. Paul Tschang had the honor to receive the Holy Communion from the Pope John Paul II. The Holy Father met the family in private audience.
In the congratulatory greeting, the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong, former Bishop of Cheongju, said, "it is truly a great honor and joy for the entire Church in Korea to have the first Korean Apostolic Nuncio after 220 years since the introduction of the Catholicism in Korea," and invited the participants to praise God while the Most Rev. Gabriel Chang Bong-hun, Bishops of Cheongju, promised to support him with ardent prayer of 120,000 diocesans.
The congratulatory reception was held at the Synod Hall in Vatican under the presidency of Rev. Casimir Song Yul-sup, Secretary General of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.
The Most Rev. Paul Tschang In-nam was appointed by the Pope John Paul II as Apostolic Nuncio in Bangladesh and titular Archbishop of Amanzia as of Oct. 19, 2002. He has worked as a diplomat for 18 years.
He was born in Cheongju in 1949 and ordained a priest on Dec. 17, 1976, after graduating from the Catholic University of Gwangju. Having served as parochial vicar in a parish in Cheongju and as undersecretary of the CBCK(Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea), he left for Rome in 1979 for study, where he obtained a doctorate in dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Lateran University in 1985. In the same year he started his diplomatic career, as second secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in El Salvador. After holding various posts such as first secretary of the Apostolic Nunciature in Ethiopia and in Syria, second councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature in France, first councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Greece, he became first councilor of the Apostolic Nunciature in Belgium and has served in that position since August 2000.
* Bishop Ahn Urges to Stop Human Cloning Experiment Immediately
Against the claim of the first cloned baby's birth by Clonaid, a cultic organization in pursuit of human cloning, the Most Rev. Francis Xavier Ahn Myong-ok, President of the Bioethics Committee of the CBCK, issued a statement on "human cloning experiment" on January 3 and urged to stop it immediately.
In the statement Bishop Ahn said, "though it is fundamentally necessary and important to establish law regulating human cloning, I want to first appeal to sound conscience and healthy reason of scientist," and added "I do not have the intention to violate the autonomy of science, but science can be guaranteed its freedom and autonomy insofar as it respects the human dignity." He made clear that a human being can not be a means even for the purpose of reducing the suffering of other human beings.
Noting that the birth of cloned baby shows the moral insensibility of the society, he said, "it collapses the existing concept of the origin of human being, that is, the union of a man and a woman gives birth to a human life."
He also expressed concern over the human cloning, saying, "with the increasing possibility of human intervention in human life and its manipulation, the announcement of the cloned baby's birth brings us to great confusion and shock," and pointed out that the efforts which are now being made to establish a systemic device as a countermeasure might be insufficient since it opens the possibility of human cloning experiments under certain restrictions.
* New Year's Mass for Immigrant Workers Celebrated
On January 5 the Labor Pastoral Commission of the Archdiocese of Seoul (Chairman: Rev. Andrew Heo Yun-jin) celebrated New Year's Mass with some 30 Koreans from China attending.
Rev. Andrew Heo said in his homily, "it is important to take resolution to be with God even in difficulties," and asked them "to practice the charity, the Commandment of Jesus."
During the Mass a couple from China were baptized and born anew as children of God.
Prior to this, on December 29 the Labor Pastoral Commission also offered Mass for Vietnamese workers to console their loneliness in foreign land. On the same day seven Vietnamese people including three infants were baptized which made the day's event more meaningful. After the Mass, some 200 Vietnameseattendants had cheerful time enjoying their traditional meals and performances.
* Former Secretary General of the CBCK Awarded a National Order
On December 27, Rev. John Kim Jong-su, former Secretary General of the CBCK was awarded a National Order of Camellia by the Ministry of Culture & Tourism for his efforts and merits to promote the exchange and friendly relations between South and North Korean people, and the interreligious dialogue and cooperation.
* Candlelight Prayer Meeting Held for the Abolition of Death Penalty
On December 27, a prayer meeting with candlelight was held in front of the Myongdong Cathedral of Seoul with the sponsor of the Social Correction Apostolate Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul(Chairman: Rev. Thomas Lee Young-woo).
This meeting aimed at avoiding the recurrence of the last execution of 23 condemned prisoners right after the presidential election in 1997 and also urging the president-elect Roh Moo-hyun to advance the abolition of death penalty.
Beginning with the performance of Salesian religious, the prayer meeting offered the participants time to think about the lives of the condemned prisoners who had committed crimes under the darkness of society. There was also time to urge the conversion of the criminals and to watch some videotapes regarding the abolition of death penalty.
Through this, some 120 clergy, religious, and lay Catholics clearly confirmed that "death penalty is another kind of violence."
Priscilla Hong Seong-hee, a volunteer working for inmates, said, "I wish the president-elect Roh to keep his words and abolish the death penalty during his presidency," and asked all to pray for the brittle lives of the condemned prisoners.
Rev. Lee said, "it is very nice to have thiskind of candlelight prayer meeting in the spirit of sharing the feast of life," and added, "let's kindle the candle of prayer with light of life for the abolition of death penalty."
>* Religious Circles' Fast Prayer Meeting to Urge the Amendment of Korea-U.S. SOFA
People from five religions in Korea including Catholicism, Protestantism, Buddhism, Won-Buddhism and the Anglican Church concluded the 30-day fast prayer meeting on December 31 and asked the president-elect Roh to make efforts for the amendment of the Korea-U.S. SOFA on the basis of "fairness and justice." During December 2-31, 2002, they have staged hunger strikes and prayer meeting successively.
Concluding this prayer meeting, some 30 delegates of these religions had a press conference and issued a statement and sent it to the president-elect.
They urged in the statement not to make the deaths of two schoolgirls meaningless, to resume the trial of the two U.S. soldiers at the Korean court.They also called for fair amendment of the unfair provision of Korea-U.S. SOFA regarding the criminal jurisdiction for crimes done in the performance of official duties and the U.S. President's official apology and concrete plans to avoid such an accident in the future.
Br. Leopold Im Sang-gil of Capuchins who participated in the prayer meeting with Franciscan Brothers said, "this meeting was a good opportunity to realize the importance of life and human rights of Korean people. The religious circles will continue the march for justice and peace until the current Korea-U.S. SOFA is fairly revised for we want a world where life, human rights, justice and peace are respected."