Seoul (AsiaNews) – Speaking at a special lecture held at Seoul's Myongdong Cathedral, Card Stephen Kim Souhwan said the South Korean Church is looking forward to a rapid process of canonisation of the late John Paul II, a man whose deeds "opened a bright future to the Church and humanity." 

"I hope that John Paul's canonisation proceeds as soon as possible for his great sanctity lightened the future of the world and the Church and led the youth to the call of Christ," he said, noting that "the late pope [. . .] led a life of prayers and was a tireless bearer of good news: a true pastoral worker".

The Cardinal insisted on a rapid canonisation because the late pope "was a genuine and faithful servant of God who lived up his love for Christ to action."

On May 29, the diocese of Rome promulgated the decree that sets in motion the process of beatification of John Paul II as announced by Pope Benedict XVI on May 13.

The promulgation, which will be posted for two months at the Rome Vicariate and the Krakow Curia (Poland), announced the start of the cause of beatification and invites people to present materials and testimonials related to the late Pontiff's life.

The cause of John Paul II', who died on April 2, was made possible by a decision of Pope Benedict XVI to set aside existing rules that require a five-year waiting period before such causes can be heard.

For Cardinal Kim, "the speed of the beatification process reflects the wish of all Catholics throughout the world to see the great Pope honoured as a saint".

Cardinal Kim, whom Pope John Paul II loved and held in high esteem, co-celebrated the late Pontiff's funeral mass in St Peter's Square on April 8. However, the 83-year-old prelate did not take part in the conclave because of age limits. (TK)