ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Bishop of Daejeon: "The Pope in North Korea? A miracle, but everything is possible to God"

Tuesday, 9 October 2018 politics   human rights   evangelization   mission  

Daejeon (Agenzia Fides) - "If Pope Francis goes to Pyongyang, it will truly be a miracle. But everything is possible to God": with these words Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik, at the head of the diocese of Daejeon and of the "Commission for society" within the Episcopal Conference, comments to Agenzia Fides the news that on 18 October Pope Francis will receive the president of South Korea, the Catholic Moon Jae-In in audience, who will visit the Vatican during his European tour. As the spokesman of the "Blue House" - Presidential Office in Seoul - announced, President Moon will bring a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Pope Francis: during the third North-South summit last September, Kim invited the Pontiff to visit Pyongyang saying he is ready "to welcome him ardently".
President Moon, who is making a strong commitment to the cause of peace and reconciliation on the Korean peninsula, will also ask the Pope "for a blessing and support for peace and stability on the Korean peninsula", the spokesperson said.
Also on 17 October, the Cardinal Secretary of State, Pietro Parolin, will preside a special "Mass for Peace" for the Korean peninsula, which will be attended by President Moon himself in St. Peter's Basilica.
Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik, present at the Vatican as a delegate for the Synod on young people, expresses his satisfaction and his wishes: "We are in a new era, in which the process of reconciliation between North Korea and South Korea moves with great strides, thank God. The Pope has mentioned Korea nine times in the last year, showing all his closeness and solicitude towards the Korean people, and wholeheartedly supports peace". "Now - he concludes - the Holy See, according to its universal mission, continues to offer its contribution to the pacification of the peninsula. In Korea the faithful are very happy and hopeful for these new developments. We trust in God and in the signs that He will give us". (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 9/10/2018)


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