Archdiocese of Seoul: ‘We are not giving up on reconciliation with Pyongyang’

The 30th anniversary of the Committee set up by Card Stephen Kim, who celebrates a weekly Mass for peace and the reunification of the Korean peninsula, was celebrated in Myeongdong Cathedral. Archbishop Chung said: ‘It is disheartening to see that today hatred prevails over suspicion, over exclusion and hatred. Let us continue to walk together on the path of conversion of hearts’.

Seoul (AsiaNews) - The National Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul today celebrated the 30th anniversary of its foundation with a Mass of thanksgiving in Myeongdong Cathedral.

The rite was presided over by the archbishop of the Korean capital, Mons. Peter Chung Soon-taek, together with his predecessor, Card. Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, the apostolic nuncio in Korea Mons. Giovanni Gasparri and numerous other prelates, priests, religious and lay people.

‘On 1 March 1995, 50 years after the division of the nation and 45 years after the outbreak of the Korean War,’ recalled Monsignor Chung, ’when Cardinal Stephen Kim Soo-hwan officially announced his intention to visit North Korea, this Diocesan Committee for Reconciliation and Cooperation was founded.’

‘Over the last 30 years,’ he added, ’this Committee has promoted a pastoral vision of prayer, education, research and sharing, making various efforts including the Mass for reconciliation and national unity, celebrated every Tuesday in Myeongdong Cathedral. 1,457 Masses have already been celebrated with this intention.’

Regarding the current state of inter-Korean relations, Archbishop Chung said: ‘It is disheartening that the situation on the Korean peninsula is characterised by hatred rather than love, by discord rather than reconciliation, and by division rather than unity. But our journey towards national reconciliation is not over: today we must ask for the courage to travel this road again and remember once more the mission entrusted to us for peace, reconciliation between South and North, and the evangelisation of all peoples’.

‘The Korean peninsula has been suffering for 80 years because of suspicion, exclusion and hatred,’ concluded the Archbishop of Seoul. ’To move forward into a new era, we must begin with a conversion of our hearts. I hope that our Diocesan Reconciliation Committee can join not only other organisations and members within the Church, but also all religions, civil society and political circles that desire new relationships, so that we can walk together on the road to conversion to change the hearts of South and North’.