ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Canonization process for Cardinal Kim begins

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - The Archdiocese of Seoul announced in a statement on July 5 that it had received the letter from the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints regarding Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, which states that there are no objections to begin for him a beatification and canonizazion process. Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan, who can now be called a Servant of God, was the eleventh Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Seoul and the first Cardinal of Korea.
He was Archbishop of Seoul for a total of 30 years, from 1968 to 1998. He was appreciated by many for his exemplary life and virtue. His contribution to the development of the Archdiocese of Seoul, to the democracy movement under the regime of the military dictatorship and to the promotion of human rights is known both among Catholics and the general population.
In particular, Cardinal Kim, who was called a "friend of the poor and marginalized," treated the most marginalized in our society like Jesus Christ, based on his fundamental compassion for people. After his death, by practicing his unconditional love until the end, he donates his corneas.
In 2023, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung, Archbishop of Seoul, accepted the request for beatification and expressed his intention to lead the beatification process. Now, the Dicastery for the Causes of Saints declared the "nihil obstat" to proceed with the process.
The Diocesan Commission for Beatification and Canonization (headed by His Exc. Msgr. Job Yobi Koo, Vicar General of Seoul) has formed a Historical Expert Committee for the beatification of Cardinal Kim and plans to conduct research into the Cardinal's life in its various aspects, his "heroic virtues" and his "reputation of holiness."
On July 10, 2024 at 4 p.m. (Seoul time), Bishop Peter Soon-taick Chung appointed the Chairman and members of the Historical Expert Committee. The President of the Diocesan Commission for the Causes of Saints, Msgr. Job Yobi Koo, thanked all those who contributed to the process for their efforts, adding: "I believe that the work of the Committee's experts will bring about a spiritual renewal by nourishing pastoral zeal for the proclamation of the Gospel among the clergy, religious and laity". (M.S.K.) (Agenzia Fides, 10/7/2024)

Share:

local churches

---

---

beatification

---

---