2014-08-18 12:36:00

President of Korean Bishops Conference weighs in on Papal visit


(Vatican Radio) The president of Korea’s Bishops Conference and Bishop of Cheju,  Peter Kang U-il has weighed in on Pope Francis’s trip to the Peninsula, saying it was clear that the Holy Father hopes to see peace in Asia and the world.  Bishop Kang U-il spoke to Vatican Radio’s Sean Patrick Lovett after Pope Francis left Seoul Monday bound for Rome.

Listen to Sean Lovett’s interview with Bishop Kang U-il:

“It’s my impression that the Pope really wishes to promote peace in this Peninsula and in the world,” the Bishop said.  “He wanted us to be a peacemaker in this divided country, divided by ideology, divided by such a terrible military power.  So I think he came to proclaim the value of peace in this east Asia where the tension between the countries: China, Japan and (South) Korea and North Korea – the tension is being accelerated recently.  I think he feels that at this moment we really need a brave action or a brave step forward for real peace.”

Asked to elaborate on his assertion “Peace is not just the absence of war - it’s more a question of justice,” Bishop Kang U-il responded  that he sees questions of justice in South Korea today where “we have very many social problems, economically, socially and on several levels of society.  Even though it seems that South Korea has achieved a great level of economic success in the last 30 years or so, it is also true that the people who feel themselves belonging to the lower class, people who feel themselves deprived of human dignity, a dignified life, these people are increasing.  So I think  we should deeply ponder on how we achieved this economic development: how we should reorganize this wealth in the society.  If there’s a terrible tension and sorrow (among) …people in the country, we can’t make peace with other countries.”

Bishop Kang U-il noted that one of the things that the Korean Church gleaned from Pope Francis’ five day visit was his  “model” form of leadership.  In particular, “His approach to all kinds of people who are especially ill and disabled and deprived of many human rights.  Many people are saying after his visit that the Pope showed a great model of leadership which Korean political leaders could not show for the last 30-40 years.  It seems to me that he really showed the authentic validity of the leadership which the Korean people are really aspiring (to).”

Bishop Kang U-il said he was impressed by Pope Francis’ “openness towards any class or any people, without showing any kind of authoritarian attitude.  And he always wanted to become a small, little person, always ready to go down to the lowest position of the society.”  Chuckling that he does not do this himself “enough”, Bishop Kang U-il admitted, “that’s the point I should really learn after him.”

Asked what image will remain in his heart of Pope Francis’ visit, Bishop Kang U-il said, “after I said the word of gratitude after the mass for Asian Youth Day, he came down from the top of the altar and (he has trouble) walking downward or climbing up the steps - but he so gladly came down and hugged me.” 

Bishop Kang U-il admitted hugging is not a common practice in Korea but said it struck him as “a real fatherly gesture.  And I wouldn’t forget it.”

 

 

 

 








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