Seoul (AsiaNews) - The road to peace in Korea "is long and tough", so it is necessary to "keep patience and continue praying," writes Card Andrew Yeom Soo-jung (pictured), archbishop of Seoul, in his Christmas message.
In the letter, titled "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace to those on whom his favour rests" (Lk 2: 14), the cardinal reflects on the "peaceful atmosphere" that has come to the Korean peninsula this year after the Panmunjom summit.
Citing Pope John XXIII’s encyclical "Pacem in terris", the archbishop reminds the faithful that "peace on earth can, at last, be recovered and strengthened in the orders of God.
“Pope John XXIII taught us that a peaceful world-order can be constructed by the ‘Truth’ and ‘Justice’, completed by ‘Love’ and ‘Solidarity’, and realised by security of ‘Freedom’.” Hence, “Christians are called to be the first builders of peace in the world."
"As Pope Francis has always stressed, we should keep mercy in our minds which enables endless forgiveness and unconditional sharing. We, above all, should start from prayers.
“True peace is God’s gift which we can receive only when we ask for [it] through prayers. Thus, let’s keep devoting our prayers for the peace in Korean Peninsula.”
In concluding his Christmas message, Card Yeom turns to his brothers and sisters in North Korea. “I hope Christmas can be a new hope and light for [our] brothers and sisters in North Korea, which can bring a big consolation for the hardship they’re having in their minds as well.”
