ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - “He was a strong and affectionate father who spent all his life in leading humanity to harmony and mutual respect, to truth and love”: Catholic Bishops and the President of Korea remember Pope John Paul II

Seoul (Fides Service) - “He was a strong and affectionate father who spent all his life in leading humanity to harmony and mutual respect, to truth and love. How can we forget the touching scene when he visited Korea in 1984 and canonised 103 Korean martyrs?”. This was part of a message to the Korean people issued by the Catholic Bishops of Korea on the death of Pope John Paul II . “For more than a quarter of a century he determinedly defended the truth of faith and human dignity and showed honest humility by asking forgiveness, confessions the faults of the Church in the past. … We feel deeply sorrowful for losing a great figure while we are also grateful for the light and love of God which was revealed through him” the Bishops said.
Also the President of South Korea Justo Roh Moo-hyun on behalf of the government and the people expressed deep sorrow and said, among other things: “Pope John Paul II will be forever remembered as an apostle of peace thanks to his great contributions to the world’s prosperity and peace”. Looking back on the Pope’s visits to Korea, in 1984 and 1989, Mr Roh expressed special thanks for his endeavours to promote peace and stability on the Korean peninsula. Leaders of other religions also expressed condolence.
On April 5, some 10,000 Catholics, representatives of civil institutions, head of diplomatic missions, representatives of other churches attended a Mass in remembrance of John Paul II at Myongdong Cathedral in Seoul. “We have lost a great ‘star’ who shed light on the darkness of the world, as a human being, religious leader and spiritual guide. Christ and humanity were the centre of his teaching”, Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan said in the homily. For his part the papal Nuncio said Pope John Paul II was a “convinced and stern defender of human rights” a “teacher and pilgrim on the road of mankind”, “there was no separation between prayer and work and prayer and action”, the Nuncio said. A delegation of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Korea (CBCK) travelled to Rome to take part in the Pope’s funeral. (MS) (Agenzia Fides, 08/04/2005)