POPE ADDRESSES KOREAN BISHOPS, IN ROME ON "AD LIMINA" VISIT

VATICAN CITY, MAR 24, 2001 (VIS) - Pope John Paul today welcomed the bishops of Korea as they conclude their quinquennial "ad limina" visit to Rome and to the Successor of Peter. He recalled his two visits to their country and remarked on "how the Church has grown and flourished since the time the Gospel seed was first sown there over two centuries ago."

The Pope noted that the background to their visit was formed by the 1998 Synod for Asia and by the "grace-filled experience of the Great Jubilee of the Year 2000." He said that the synod "was the occasion for a fruitful and enriching reflection on the challenges posed for evangelization in a continent where Christians form a very small minority."

For an efficacious evangelization, he said, "you have the responsibility of constantly identifying the features of a pastoral plan adapted to the needs and aspirations of God's people. ... The Successors of the Apostles should never be afraid of proclaiming the full truth about Jesus Christ, in all its challenging reality and demands, since the truth has an intrinsic power to draw the human heart to all that is good, noble and beautiful."

"In this regard," continued the Holy Father, "I am especially pleased to learn of efforts to promote the Biblical apostolate. The availability of a modern Korean translation of the Bible ... makes it possible for all the faithful to have direct access to God's saving word."

"By the mandate of Christ," he affirmed, "the bishop is appointed to teach - 'in season and out of season' - the unchanging faith of the Church, as it is to be applied and lived today." He animated them "to support and encourage the work of theologians" and "at the same time you must be concerned to safeguard the authentic interpretation of the Church's teaching and thus ensure that the local Church abides in the truth which alone saves and liberates."

"In your homeland," noted John Paul II, "you face the challenge of an increasingly materialistic mentality which is undermining many of the authentic human values upon which Korean society is traditionally based. This calls for renewed efforts to address the widely-felt crisis of values and to strengthen the sense of the transcendent in the lives of the faithful." He commended the bishops for their initiatives relative to bioethical questions, especially for their "steadfast opposition to abortion, ... a terrible offense against God's gift of life" which "introduces into society a relativistic attitude to all fundamental moral and ethical principles."

He highlighted the "indispensable" role of the laity in the Church and the bishops' "task to discern the gifts of the laity." He then remarked how Korea "is blessed with a high number of priestly vocations. ... The new Pontifical Korean College here in Rome is a sign of your resolve to ensure that priests receive a solid continuing formation."

John Paul, in closing, told the bishops that he rejoices "whenever I hear of progress in advancing reconciliation, mutual understanding and cooperation among all the members of the Korean family. ... To provide material and spiritual solidarity with the Catholic community and the whole population of North Korea, in appropriate ways and with pastoral charity, will undoubtedly prove a positive step towards reconciliation."

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