April 28, 2014 - The Archbishop of Seoul, South Korea, has emphasized the great
works of the new Pope Saints, John XXIII and John Paul II for the Korean Church. Card.
Andrea Yeom Soo-jung, who was in Rome for Sunday's canonization of the two popes told
AsiaNews it is no exaggeration that the two saints built the foundation of the modern
Church. He explained that when John XXIII as Archbishop Angelo Giuseppe Roncalli was
the Apostolic Nuncio to France in 1948, he had introduced the Chief of the Korean
Delegation, Dr. Chang Myon (Baptism name: John), to over 50 representatives and helped
the Korean Government earn international recognition. Later on March 10, 1962, Pope
John XXIII elevated the Vicariate Apostolic of Seoul, Daegu, and Gwangju to Archdioceses.
Pope John Paul II visited Korea twice. In 1984, he participated in the event to celebrate
the 200th anniversary of the Korean Church and the canonization ceremony of 103 Korean
Saints; in 1989, he came to Seoul for the World Eucharistic Congress. Cardinal Yeom
said that when the Church was like a lost boat drifting in the waves of the rapid-changing
world, instead of just pointing out to the right direction, they played the role of
a boatman and rowed the boat with their own hands. He prelate said he felt honoured
to participate in the canonization ceremony, in gratitude for they have contributed
to the Korean Church.