by Theresa Kim Hwa-young

South Koreans are afflicted by materialism, selfishness and social autism. Never before has humanity enjoyed such "unprecedented material affluence," but what has it brought? The destruction of "harmony among ourselves and with nature." In an appeal for the upcoming elections, the bishops call on voters to choose wisely "people who are ready to serve the nation".

Seoul (AsiaNews) - The light of Christ rising from the dead "is the best gift the faithful can offer the society in which they live. Easter should help us find harmony among ourselves and with nature. All of our problems, political ones included, can be solved by following the example of our Saviour," Korean bishops said in a message sent out to the country's parishes on the occasion of Easter celebrations.

"Our society today experiences problems in human communication and coexistence," said Card Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, archbishop of Seoul. "Humanity nowadays enjoys unprecedented material affluence, but selfishness and arrogance are the dark side. The polarisation caused by wealth has worsened as the high tech media system isolates and alienates people."

"Life's unity is possible when we accept our differences and accept to live together peacefully," he added. "We must respect those who think differently from us on all matters, be they political, social and religious."

Speaking about South Korea's upcoming general elections on 11 April, the prelate called on the faithful to "think rationally and meditate on the best choice for the nation's future and the happiness of our people."

Mgr Hyginus Kim, archbishop of Kwangju, focused on the hope Jesus brought us with his victory over death. South Korea "faces many problems", he explained, including "many foreign workers, multicultural families, North Korean defectors and victims of school violence." However, "by rising from his death, Christ shows every creature how to regain their original nature and life."

Sadly, "human greed has led to environmental destruction and undermined development. The nuclear race is likely to lead to future disasters. For this reason, we must pray for harmony with nature and restore God's plan for he is the Creator of the universe."

For Mgr Lucas Kim, bishop of Chuncheon, "the light of Christ, who rose from the dead, must light up the society that surrounds us".

On the issue of this month's parliamentary elections, the prelate urged his fellow Koreans "to choose people who are ready to serve the nation, not those who want to rule over them."
"Let us not forget past elections," he warned, "when emotions and prejudices prevailed." This, he noted, "brought unhappiness and suffering to us all."

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• korea
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• easter