IMAGE: CNS photo/courtesy Archdiocese o
By
SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) — To
mark the 70th anniversary of the division of Korea and the Year of Mercy, the
Archdiocese of Seoul launched a prayer movement, “North Korean Church in
My Heart.”
Seoul Cardinal Andrew Yeom
Soo-jung, who serves as apostolic administrator of Pyongyang, North Korea, said
the people there “have always been in my prayers.”
Before a Mass at Myongdong
Cathedral Nov. 24, the cardinal said: “Pope Francis has announced the Jubilee
of Mercy; I believe the Korean Peninsula is one of the regions that need most
the mercy of God. I invite everyone to join me in this prayer movement, to bear
in mind the Catholic Church of North Korea, and to show our love and concern
with continuous prayers,” he said ahead of the opening Mass for the
movement.
After the liberation of Korea,
there were 57 parishes and about 5,200 Catholics in North Korea. After the
Korean War, however, the Catholic Church of North Korea underwent persecutions by
the government. Only a few hidden Catholics are believed to be in North Korea
now.
The archdiocese said “North
Korean Church in My Heart ” is open to anyone who wants to pray for the
North Korean Church.
– – –
Copyright © 2015 Catholic News Service/U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. www.catholicnews.com. All rights reserved. Republishing or redistributing of CNS content, including by framing or similar means without prior permission, is prohibited. You may link to stories on our public site. This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To request permission for republishing or redistributing of CNS content, please contact permissions at cns@catholicnews.com.
