Card. Cheong: "Only mankind can resolve environmental crisis"

The Archbishop of Seoul is the first Korean bishop to write about the topic. In a pastoral letter, he invites all to respect the different species on earth and makes concrete proposals the Church can implement to resolve the situation.

Seoul (AsiaNews) – The ecological problem is "one of the most important issues in our time. And the real reason and real solution for the crisis is nothing but us human beings". With these words, Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, archbishop of Seoul, opened a pastoral letter "to the archdiocese and all the community" about development and respect for the environment.

This is the first time ever that a Korean bishop has tackled the question of ecology. "The crisis of the environment," wrote the cardinal in his 16-page letter, "is a problem we cannot underestimate any longer. Among factors causing it are the concentrated use of fossil energy, the threat to the survival of different species and side effects of chemical materials used in agriculture."

The latter factor "brings serious consequences: unbalanced distribution of food, given the diversity of crops, and an insufficient degree of food.  With these techniques we are losing the capacity of self-sufficiency."

The cardinal continued: "The Church should give priority to practicing the gospel and transforming life in a sustainable and renewable way."  He suggested several "practical ways" to apply these principles: education camps for youth to urge them to promote ecology, consumption and cultivation of natural food and catechesis for adults, who "must learn and respect their responsibilities towards all creatures."

The cardinal said he was "concerned" about pollution levels in Kaesong Zone, the new "free zone" of ties with North Koreans. In this area, a range of economic cooperation measures are being developed between Seoul and Pyongyang, aiming to strengthen ties between the two bordering nations. To this end, the bishops' conference has called for a day of prayer for reconciliation and unity on 25 June.

In his message for this event, Mgr Luca Kim Woon-hoe, chairman of the bishops' Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, invited the faithful, "at this time of international tension", to be "an instrument of peace in this land by reconciling our society in conformity with the command of our Lord who entrusted this mission to us." 

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