From border with North, Church raises appeal for peace

The Presidents of the Bishops' Commission for Justice and Peace and the Commission for the Reunification of the Korean people celebrate Mass together in the Diocese of Uijeongbu, on the line dividing the peninsula. Signing of appeal to rulers, neighboring countries and to the Korean people: "Truth and justice are the paths that lead to true peace, Korea is still living in the Cold War for crimes that are not ours. Give our people the opportunity to live the way they want to".

 

Seoul (AsiaNews) - An appeal to the rulers of Seoul and Pyongyang, to the nations bordering Korea and the people, to return to the path of peace and give the population of the peninsula the power to self-determine their own future. It is signed by two Catholic bishops - Msgr. Lazzaro You Heung-sik, and Msgr. Peter Lee Ki-heon - who lead the Episcopal Commissions for Justice and Peace and for the Reconciliation of the Korean people. The two prelates celebrated a Mass on the border together yesterday, in the Diocese of Uijeongbu, and then presented the appeal. Below the full text (translated from Korean by AsiaNews).

"To shine on those who sit in darkness and death’s shadow, to guide our feet into the path of peace" (Lk 1:79)

It's been 70 years since the separation of Korea and the Korean Catholic Church prays that the peninsula can find peace, although it has a history of conflicts and disagreements. The announcement of the Year of Mercy, called by Pope Francis, is for us God's answer to our prayers. The Korean Church is stimulated by the word of the Lord "Be compassionate as your Father is merciful." (Lk 6:36), and hopes that with the merciful heart of all, we may advance on the path to reconciliation, unity and peace. Against all conflicts and disagreements.

Yet we know that in the current situation the path to peace is not easy. The nuclear activities of North Korea, the resumption of propaganda, the closure of industrial cooperation between South and North Korea in Kaesong, the military exercises ... All these situations lead to great tension in Korea. The question of positioning the THAAD [missile - ndt] system in South Korea confirms that the conflicts between the South and the North are not just a Korean problem. They are also signs of a new Cold War between the United States and China.

For 60 years we have experienced an armistice, that is not the end of the war, and still we bring him the wounds of this conflict in our society. These in turn cause new tensions and new social problems. If the Korean War were to explode once more, with the new and more powerful weapons that are available, the South and the North could not survive. Pope Pius XII said that You lose nothing through peace, you lose everything through war

Therefore, the Korean Catholic Church launches three appeals so that Korea can find peace.

The first is addressed to the governors of North and South:

Stop, please! The situation seems irresolvable, but please, find the path of strength and wisdom for peace! The national security that both parties underscore means the security of peoples. This means, therefore, the security of both populations. If Korea is to become a symbol of peace and not of war, then South and North need to meetings, conversations, dialogue and cooperation.

If these are to be achieved then the declarations and agreements must be respected despite the past difficulties between both parties. These must be maintained and developed later. The closure of the Kaesong industrial zone, which is the sign of the exchange, cooperation, unification and peace between the South and the North, must be reconsidered. We must not forget that the unification of Korea is the fruit that comes from peace that we all want.

The second is to neighboring countries:

Our nation was colonized by Japan and after the Second World War was divided without any consultation. Because of this treatment we have suffered pain and wounds for decades. In contrast Germany, which after losing the war was divided like Korea, is celebrating the 26th anniversary of national unification. It is clear that the problem of Korea is not a problem of our race, but is connected with the nations that surround it. We hope that you will re-open the "six-party talks on nuclear disarmament." We appeal to all of you: acknowledge that the peace of Korea will contribute to the peace of Northeast Asia and participate in a positive way in our journey towards peace.

The third is to the people of Korea and to the Christians:

True peace is possible only through forgiveness and reconciliation (cf.. St. John Paul II, XXXII World Day of Peace). We must distance ourselves from the current cold war mentality, which is leading us to ruin, and open up to a new period for future generations. We must leave behind the worn field of ideology, accepting differences in the order of democratic foundation, and find the path to peace in the path of truth and justice.

Jesus said to his apostles, before his suffering and death on the Cross: "I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Not your heart be troubled or afraid. "(Jn 14:27). The peace that our Lord promised us is never the uncertain and constrictive situation that comes from force of arms. The peace that the Lord asks of us is peace of tolerance and coexistence on the basis of God's justice and love of God.

Our first duty is prayer

Through prayer, the Church participates in efforts for peace. With prayer we must find the will of God and ask the Lord's help. At a time like the present, when the country has so many difficulties, we have to restart the movement of prayer which has already saved Korea many times.

Exchanges and cooperation between the South and the North is for believers a "duty of love". If through the power of prayers and the Lord’s mercy we can act together in solidarity, then we will realize "thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

"Love and truth will meet; justice and peace shall kiss." (Ps. 85:11)

Msgr. Peter Lee Ki-heon, president of the Episcopal Commission for the Reconciliation of the Korean People

Msgr. Lazzaro You Heung-sik, president of the Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace

• Korea
• north
• south
• peace
• catholic church
• conflict
• appeal