HONG KONG (SE): On the eve of the 73rd anniversary of the Korean War, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung of Seoul, called for a renewed commitment to peace and reconciliation, emphasising that it is crucial not to pass on a legacy of hatred to future generations, the Committee for Communications, Archdiocese of Seoul, said in a release.
During his homily during the Mass for the Day of Prayer for the Reconciliation and Unity of the Korean People held at Myeongdong Cathedral, Archbishop Chung remarked, “Even though the situation between the two Koreas may appear bleak, we Christians cannot remain in despair. Instead, it is precisely in this era of growing animosity that our prayer can illuminate this time with a greater light.”
He continued, emphasising the teachings of Jesus, saying, “Jesus himself showed that peace cannot be achieved through an eye for an eye approach. Peace can only be attained through dialogue.” He urged the faithful to pray not for the transformation of others but for the resolve to emulate God’s boundless mercy and patience by choosing the path of peace.
Reflecting on the resilience of the Korean people, the archbishop said, “Our people held onto the hope that we could overcome poverty, which led to our economic development, and the hope that we could overcome dictatorship, which led to the achievement of democracy. Now, we must harbour a new hope that we can overcome division. This hope will surely bring true peace to the Korean Peninsula.”
Concluding his homily, Archbishop Chung called on everyone living on the Korean Peninsula to “choose the path of forgiveness and reconciliation over that of hatred and resentment.”
Since 1965, the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea has observed June 25th as the Day of Prayer for the Church in Silence. In 1992, its name was changed to the Day of Prayer for Reconciliation and Unity of the Korean People.
The Archdiocese of Seoul established the Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People in 1995, marking the 50th anniversary of Liberation.
The committee holds Mass and peace-sharing prayer services every Tuesday at 7.00pm at Myeongdong Cathedral. The committee also manages education and research projects, supports programmes for North Koreans and defectors, and arranges pilgrimages to border areas under the programme, ‘Winds of Peace.’
