SEOUL (UCAN): Catholics in South Korea joined special prayers for peace and reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula as part of a month-long series of prayers themed, Let the peace of Christ reign in your hearts, marking the 70th anniversary of the armistice that ended the hostilities of the Korean War.
Hundreds of Catholics participated in special Masses in all dioceses on June 25—the 73rd anniversary of the start of the war.
In Uijeongbu, just across the border with North Korea, a Mass and commemoration programme was led by Bishop Simon Kim Joo-young, head of the bishops’ National Reconciliation Committee.
“At a time when the relationship between South and North Korea is strained and difficult, what we can do for peace is to believe in the power of God, namely the power of prayer,” Bishop Kim said in his homily.
The bishop also shared about his recent “pilgrimage for peace” to the Joint Security Area Church in Panmunjeom [also known as Paju], near the North Korean border, on June 6.
“I hope that all believers will pray together until the day peace comes to this land,” he added.
At a time when the relationship between South and North Korea is strained and difficult, what we can do for peace is to believe in the power of God, namely the power of prayer
Father Peter Kang Joo-seok, head of the National Reconciliation Committee in Uijeongbu, noted that prayers for peace are more important than ever as the relationship between the two Koreas has nosedived in recent times.
Father Kang noted that on May 31, residents of the South Korean capital, Seoul, received an evacuation warning in response to a North Korean missile launch. It proved to be a false alarm, but it panicked people and made them think about the deteriorating state of relations between Koreas.
“The reality is that South-North conflicts are deeply rooted as the history of division is long. Many say that it is difficult to actively talk about reconciliation or peace due to current circumstances,” he said.
Father Kang stressed that despite the challenges, the desire for peace on the Korean Peninsula must continue.
The Church in Korea holds prayers for peace and reconciliation from June 17 to July 27, the day when an armistice between the two Koreas ended the deadly war in 1953. This has been an annual event since 1965.
The reality is that South-North conflicts are deeply rooted as the history of division is long. Many say that it is difficult to actively talk about reconciliation or peace due to current circumstances
The 1950 to 1953 war from left the Korean Peninsula wounded and divided, forcing almost all Christians to flee to the south to escape death at the hands of North Korean communist forces.
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea defined the North Korean Church as a “silent Church” and started the “Day of Prayer for the Silent Church.”
In 1992, the title was changed to the “Day of Prayer for National Reconciliation and Unity” with an emphasis on prayer for reconciliation and unity.
In 1984, the bishop’s conference established the North Korean Mission to carry out activities to promote peace, reconciliation, and unity. It was renamed the National Reconciliation Committee in 1999.
Besides prayer for peace, diocesan units of the committee raise awareness and support North Korean refugees.
Uijeongbu holds prayer services and Mass for national reconciliation and unity every Saturday at the Church of Repentance and Atonement.
The Archdiocese of Seoul also holds a prayer service and Mass for national reconciliation and unity every Tuesday.
In press release, the Ardiocese of Seoul reported that Archbishop Peter Chung of Seoul and apostolic administrator of Pyongyang, concelebrated a Mass on June 25 with priests of the diocese at Myeongdong Cathedral. Several nuns and about 900 faithful also attended the Mass.
“Let us always remember the brothers and sisters in the North who are suffering from a shortage of food and medical supplies and pray for true peace on the Korean Peninsula,” the archbishop said..
Other dioceses also offer monthly Masses for peace.
The National Reconciliation Committee also encourages the faithful to help poor people suffering in North Korea despite their dislike for the North Korean regime.
* This report is brought to you in partnership with the Catholic Times of Korea.
