Korean Church grateful to new Pope Saints

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. ‎