Late Korean cardinal's example sparks increase in organ donations

(February 16, 2011) As South Korea observed on Wednesday, (Feb.16) the second death anniversary of Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, a local government agency said that the number of organ donation pledges in the country, exceeded the 100,000 mark for the second straight year. It said the rise was apparently influenced by a precedent set by the late cardinal. The prelate, who died at age 86 in 2009 was greatly respected by Catholics and non-Catholics alike. He had deeply inspired the public by donating his eyes to two patients. He had pledged to donate his organs as early as 1990, desiring “to give everything and leave with nothing.” He had also established an organ donation group, “One Body, One Spirit,” in 1988, expressing his will to share life with others.
According to the Korean Network for Organ Sharing - Konos, a total of 124,300 Koreans made written pledges last year to donate their organs after death. Cardinal Kim’s donation greatly changed the social atmosphere, said the Konos official and expected the number of donation pledges to be on a steady rise in the long term. A memorial Mass for the cardinal was held at the Catholic cemetery in Yongin, on Wed. morning. Another memorial Mass was held at Myeongdong Cathedral in central Seoul in the evening.