ASIA/KOREA - Appointment of Military Ordinary in Korea

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father, Benedict XVI, on 16 July 2010, appointed as Military Ordinary in Korea, Rev. Francis Xavier Yu Soo-il, O.F.M, Vicar in the Franciscan House of Formation Seoul.
Friar Francis Xavier Yu Soo-il, O.F.M., was born at Nonsan, diocese of Daejon, 23 March 1945. He studied at Seoul University for a degree in Education, and at St. Bonaventure University, U.S.A for a Master Degree in Spiritual Theology. In 1973 he entered the Order of Friars Minor; and studied for the priesthood at Seoul Major Seminary. After taking his perpetual vows in 1979, on 25 February 1980 he was ordained a priest. He has been assistant priest at Syryundong, diocese of Suwon; parish priest at Chilam-dong, diocese of Masan; Provincial Minister of the Order (1991-1997); President of the Union of Major Superiors of Korea (1993-1995); General Counsellor of the Order in Rome (1997-2003); Spiritual Assistant and Guardian of the O.F.M. community in Seoul (since 2006). At present he is Vicar at the O.F.M. Formation House in Seoul.
The Military Ordinate in Korea was instituted on 23 October 1989. Today it consists of 650,000 people of whom 100,862 are Catholics (about 15%). There are 83 parishes and 192 chapels, one permanent chaplain and 82 chaplains appointed for a term of 4 or more years. (SL) (Agenzia Fides 16/07/2010)