Communication on March 26, 2004
| * Joint Guide of Korea-Japan History to Be Published "For Building Closer Relationships between Korea and Japan," a joint guide of Korea-Japan History, is to be published both in Korea and Japan in April 2003. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea, at its 2004 Spring General Assembly, approved the publication of this book and decided to publish it both in Korea and Japan in the name of the Korea-Japan Bishops’ Exchange Meeting. This book, complied by the Pastoral Institute of Korea of the CBCK, deals with the history and cultural exchange of two countries and aims at giving the knowledge and discernment to youth of both countries so that they may have correct understanding of their history and build closer relationships as good neighbors in this new era of global village. * Life Ascending Korea Started Life Ascending Korea (President: Ms Theresa Oh Duck-choo; Chaplain: Rev. Francis Jung Wol-gi) had its inauguration ceremony on March 21, 2004 and launched its activities in earnest. Life Ascending Korea, the Korean branch of Life Ascending International, is an association to help the elderly living the “third stage” of life (life after retirement) to realize a new mission and bear abundant fruits. Each group of this movement is comprised of two to ten members who have same habits or interest and a common aim. The members have various activities together, like activities for self-development or for building spirituality and communion. This movement, helping older faithful to discover new identity and mission in the Church, is evaluated as an active program for the pastoral care of the elderly in the time of rapid aging of population. Life Ascending International was started in France 40 years ago and approved by the Holy See. Now it has about 300,000 members in 60 countries throughout the world. * Message for the General Elections Issued For the upcoming 2004 General Elections, the CBCK issued a message. Following is the full text. Elections and the Common Good - For the Upcoming 2004 General Elections - Since the impeachment motion against the president was passed by the South Korea parliament, the first time in the country's constitutional history, the Korean people are now very much worried about the division and unrest of the country. While expressing deep concern over the present political situation, we sincerely long for a reformed political culture, which should be characterized by dialogue and collaboration. We also look forward to seeing before us the way of harmonious living with reconciliation and unity, free from hatred and division. We are brothers and sisters and one people who constitute one national community. We should repent, forgive and embrace each other, and respect others and unite with them. Political order should aim at the well-being and balanced development of people, and for this purpose we hold elections to choose the servants of the people. Therefore, the elections are an opportunity for voters to make an important choice for the future of the nation and its people. Given the current political situation, the upcoming General Elections assume more importance for the future. If we manage the April 15 General Elections well with fairness and transparency, it can be a turning point to make people aware of responsible citizenship and establish a mature democratic order in our society. A country is a community of people who live together for realizing the greater common good. The common good means "the sum of those conditions of social life which allow social groups and their individual members relatively thorough and ready access to their own fulfillment" (Gaudium et Spes, n. 26). The political community exists for the sake of the common good, in which it finds its full justification and significance, and the source of its inherent legitimacy (cf. Gaudium et Spes, n. 74). The standard of the common good always belongs to God, but in reality it is usually reflected by the true good of people. The Constitution of the Republic of Korea, in Article 8, guarantees democratic political activities which enable the people to participate in the formation of the political will and policy. Therefore, if political parties or politicians neglect the desire of the entire people and the common good and act on their own will, they disqualify themselves from their position. It is most important that all voters should exercise their precious right to vote relying on their reason, rather than on emotion, for the future and the happiness of people. The parties and candidates first and foremost should observe the rules and the principle of fair competition and the media also should take a fair stance. All Catholics should participate in political life in accordance with the teachings of the Catholic Church on social evangelization. This applies not only to the politicians but also to all Christians. Indeed all christians are responsible for the current political crisis which failed to realize the common good; we did not carry out our mission as the salt and light of the world. The Church should not express affirmation or denial of a particular party or candidate in public because it might cause division or impose wounds in the community of the faithful. We should establish a sound culture of elections so that we can choose the right persons. In this General Elections we will vote for parties and candidates respectively. Thus, each one of us should make a comprehensive judgement whether their policies are conducive to the common good and in conformity with the teachings of the Church. Each and every citizen should be alert so that common good -oriented democratic politics can take root in this land. All voters, especially Christians, should examine the qualifications and personality of candidates and make a just and correct choice, avoiding emotional judgement swayed by blood relationships or region. What is most important is not to give up the right to vote. For when we participate by voting, we can set up a new political order respecting the power of the people. We sincerely hope that the 2004 General Elections will contribute to reestablishing the unity and harmony of the people and promoting the true meaning of democracy and the common good in this country. March 19, 2004 + John Choi Young-soo President Committee for Justice & Peace of the CBCK |