Korean cardinal-elect pledges to create Church in the service of the poor

January 13, 2014 - Following his nomination as cardinal, South Korean Archbishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul pledged to make the Church a community in the service of the poor and the marginalized. "I will make efforts to realise Pope Francis' vision of a church toiling for the poor and those on the margins of society and to make it a church serving the community," said the archbishop, following the Pope’s announcement of his name on Sunday among 19 new cardinals from around the world. "I think the pope appointed me to the post to make me effectively carry out the mission of the church," he said during a ceremony held before 300 people at Myeongdong Cathedral. "I respect efforts made by the late Cardinal Kim and by Cardinal Cheong," he added, "and will add mine to them though they may be little." At the same time, he pledged to "gather the scattered sheep" and "heal confrontation and rift." His predecessor, Card. Cheong Jin-suk, noted that the appointment of a new South Korean cardinal opened a new chapter for the local church, drawing the attention of the world's church. "I hope Cardinal Yeom will perform his duty well, honouring God's will," Card. Cheong said.