Vatican City, 12 March 2015 (VIS) –
The Pope received the bishops of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of
Korea this morning, at the end of their “ad Limina” visit. In the
written discourse he prepared for the prelates, extensive extracts of
which are published below, the Holy Father refers to his visit to the
country last year during which he experienced first hand the goodness
of the Korean people who shared their joys and sorrows with him, and
affirmed that the trip remains “a lasting encouragement” to him
in his ministry to the Universal Church.
“In the course of my visit, we had
the opportunity to reflect on the life of the Church in Korea and, in
particular, on our episcopal ministry in the service of the People of
God and of society”, he writes. “I wish to continue that
reflection with you today,by highlighting three aspects of my visit:
memory, youth and the mission of confirming our brothers and sisters
in the faith. I would like also to share these thoughts with the
Churchin Mongolia. Though a small community in a vast territory, it
is like the mustard seed which is the pledge of the fullness of God’s
Kingdom. May these reflections encourage the continuing growth of
that seed, and nourish the rich soil of the Mongolian people’s
faith”.
“For me, one of the most beautiful
moments of my visit to Korea was the beatification ofthe martyrs Paul
Yun Ji-chung and companions. … Even before their faith found full
expression in the sacramental life of the Church, these first Korean
Christians not only fostered their personal relationship with Jesus,
but brought him to others, regardless of class or social standing,
and dwelt in a community of faith and charity like the first
disciples of the Lord. … Their love of God and neighbour was
fulfilled in the ultimate act of freely laying down their lives,
thereby watering with their own blood the seedbed of the Church.
That first community has left you and all of the Church a beautiful
witness of Christian living: 'their integrity in the search for
truth, their fidelity to the highest principles of the religion which
they chose to embrace, and their testimony of charity and solidarity
with all'. Their example is a school which can form us into evermore
faithful Christian witnesses by calling us to encounter, to charity
and to sacrifice. The lessons which they taught are particularly
applicable in our times when, despite the many advancements being
made in technology and communication, individuals are increasingly
becoming isolated and communities weakened. How important it is,
then, that you work together with the priests, religious men and
women, and lay leaders of your dioceses, to ensure that parishes,
schools and centres of the apostolate are authentic places of
encounter: encounter with the Lord who teaches us how to love and who
opens our eyes to the dignity of every person, and encounter with one
another, especially the poor, the elderly, the forgotten in our
midst”.
“My thoughts now turn to your young
people who greatly desire to carry forward the legacy of your
ancestors. … Just as the witness of the first Christians calls us
to care for one another, so our youth challenge us to hear one
another. … When we speak with young people, they challenge us to
share the truth of Jesus Christ clearly and in a way that they can
understand. They also test the authenticity of our own faith and
fidelity. Though it is Christ we preach and not ourselves, we are
called to be an example to the People of God in order to draw people
to him. … As you reflect on the life of your dioceses, as you
formulate and revise your pastoral plans, I urge you to keep before
you the young whom you serve. See them as partners in 'building a
holier, more missionary and humble Church, a Church which loves and
worships God by seeking to serve the poor, the lonely, the infirm and
the marginalised'. Be close to them. … This closeness will not only
strengthen the institutions and communities of the Church, but will
also help you to understand the difficulties they and their families
are experiencing in their daily lives in society. In this way, the
Gospel will penetrate ever more deeply the life of the Catholic
community as well as that of society as a whole”.
“As you prepare to return to your
local Churches, as well as encouraging you in your ministry and
confirming you in your mission, I ask you, above all, to be servants,
just as Christ came to serve, and not to be served. Ours is a life of
service, freely given, for each soul entrusted to our care, without
exception. … In this spirit of service, may you be solicitous for
one another. By your collaboration and fraternal support, you will
strengthen the Church in Korea and Mongolia and become ever more
effective in proclaiming Christ.
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