Korea: Archbishop calls for reconciliation and unification

Archbishop Peter Chung

Source: Archdiocese of Seoul

Archbishop Peter Chung, Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, has issued a message ahead of the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

In the message, Archbishop Chung hopes the day will come soon for our people to praise God together by overcoming the pains of the division by the grace of God and achieving true reconciliation and unification. Taking the Blessed Mother as an example, he emphasized on the role of the Church that it should build more bridges of faith, of reconciliation.

"As we celebrate the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I believe that the Church should play an important role of bringing the faithful, who have drifted away from God during the pandemic, closer to Him again," the prelate added. He also appealed that the Church should step forward to act as a bridge of love and unity which heals many broken hearts in these unusual times while acknowledging and accepting others.

The Feast of the Assumption of Our Lady is also the day of Liberation when Korea was liberated from Japanese rule. Korea celebrates Independence Day on August 15, known as 'Gwangbokjeol,' which literally translates into "bringing back the light" in Korean. The combination of three letters, 'Gwang,' 'Bok' and 'Jeol' means 'light,' 'return' and 'festival day,' referring to the restoration of national independence that was lost for 35 years under Japanese rule.

Meanwhile, young people from around the world, regardless of religion, are invited to take part in the annual 'World Youth Peace Pilgrimage to DMZ - Wind of Peace' from August 16 to 22. The pilgrimage is an event of peace education for young people, organized by the Archdiocese's Committee for Reconciliation of the Korean People and aimed at implementing the advice of Pope Francis to promote peace in the world as well as on the Korean peninsula.

This year, the young participants will visit Ulleungdo and Dokdo as well as the demilitarized zone(DMZ) dividing South and North Korea, visiting some of the bloodiest battlefields of the Korean War. The event will include lectures, discussions, and experience programs for participants.