by Theresa Kim Hwa-young

The message of Christmas, an invitation to overcome the culture of death and the quest for material goods. Sharing wealth with the poor, the love of Christ with family and friends, promote the value of life, the way to defeat "isolation".

Seoul (AsiaNews) - Defeat the culture of death, overcome materialism and conflicts that pollute society, share the love of Christ with loved ones and neighbours, build a true culture of life". This is what the bishops are asking South Koreans, in their Christmas message sent to the faithful of each diocese.

Card. Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk, archbishop of Seoul, stresses that the most pressing problem of our society is "materialism" which impoverishes "all other values." The cardinal adds that "as long as people put money and property at the top of the scale of values" they will live "in isolation, and a community of individuals can only become ground for conflicts and divisions." In this context, he explains, we tend to "deny the value of life."  The Archbishop of Seoul insists that "it is essential to restore the true values" and calls on the leaders of civil society to "take initiatives in this area."   Archbishop Andreas Choi Chang-mou, Archbishop of Kwangju, explains that "in this context, where the culture of death dominates the world, in order to live as children of light we must walk in the light of truth." The prelate emphasizes the need to posses "conscience and discernment" and meditate "on the path traced by the Savoir."   Bishop Thaddeus Cho Hwan-Gil, archdiocesan administrator of Deagu, gave his Christmas blessing by inviting the faithful to "share their goods with the poor." "Experiencing the joy of this - he explains - means grasping the true light of God and of Christmas."

• korea
• christmas
• bishops
• message
• materialism
• faith
• charity
• isolation
• community