CBCK News
2009-08-25 13:36
2009-08-25 13:37
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Communication on Feb. 27, 2004





* Efforts to End Death Penalty to Be More Activated and Expanded This Year

The Committee for Abolishing the Capital Punishment of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) is to expand the scope of activities by building solidarity with other international or domestic bodies and providing pastoral care and support for the victims and their families as well as the condemned prisoners.

At the meeting held on February 18, 2004, the Committee decided to seek solidarity with SOLACE, an American organization that attempts to help families of murder victims, and to care for the family of victims as well as the criminals.

Besides, the Committee is to seek collaboration with other human rights organizations, such as Amnesty Korea, and to raise the awareness of the public hand in hand with organizations of other religions.

Given the importance of international solidarity, it will participate this year in the Congress for abolishing the Capital Punishment in Taiwan and hold a "Congress for Abolishing the Capital Punishment in Respect for Life" (tentative theme) in Korea in 2005.

The members also agreed to make efforts to establish in the Korean National Assembly a special commission of lawmakers in preparation for the presentation of a new bill to the next assembly since the passage of bill for abolishing the capital punishment is deemed impossible for the present.

Within the Church, the Committee will make network among relevant diocesan committees and sponsor prayer meetings and seminars to care for the condemned prisoners.

* The 10th Korea-Japan Youth Exchange Meeting Held in Tokyo, Japan

Youths from Korea and Japan met in Tokyo, Japan from February 14 to 20, 2004 and had time of sharing, friendship and communion.

Some 60 participants of the Tenth Korea-Japan Youth Exchange Meeting, held with the theme "Listening to God," improved their friendship and understanding through various activities, such as watching a Korean movie regarding the love of family, writing imaginary letters from God, sport, cooking contest.

"This year's meeting was aimed at helping the participants discover themselves in listening to God and learn to love and understand each other," said Mr. John Hosino Masakuni, the leader of Japanese youths. He also hoped love, trust and friendship of Korean and Japanese youths.

The Episcopal Conferences of Korea and Japan hold youth exchange meetings every year since 1997 by turns aiming at promoting reconciliation and improving awareness of history of the two countries.

* Common Preaching Book to Be Published by Catholic and Protestant Churches in Korea

The CBCK Committee for Promoting Christian Unity & Interreligious Dialogue and the Committee for Christian Unity of the National Council of Churches in Korea (KNCC), its Protestant counterpart, agreed to publish a common preaching book for mutual understanding and designated editors from both churches.

The Rev. Joseph Kim Ung-tae said, "It would be a meaningful fruit of ecumenical movement to proclaim the message of God in one voice."

They also made a provisional decision to hold an ecumenical forum for Christian unity and interreligious dialogue in May, 2004 at the Cost Hall of Myongdong Cathedral of Seoul.