Cardinal Kim and Archbishop Cheong Hoping for Unity
SEOUL, South Korea, NOV. 15, 2000 (ZENIT.org).- In preparation for a possible papal visit to North Korea, Cardinal Stephen Kim and Archbishop Nicholas Cheong of Seoul, might soon visit that Communist country.
"Longing for that day, I try to keep calm and pray for the unity of our people," Cardinal Kim told the Vatican agency Fides.
In August, North Korean President Kim Jong-Il said he hoped to invite representatives of the seven religions in South Korea to the North. These would mean Catholics, Protestants, Buddhists, Won Buddhists, Confucians, Chondokyo and followers of traditional Koranic religions.
"I see the visit of religious leaders to the North as a first step toward religious exchange between the two Koreas," Archbishop Cheong told Fides. The archbishop was appointed apostolic administrator of Pyongyang by John Paul II in 1998.
Explaining his urge to cross the border, Archbishop Cheong said: "My greatest desire is to confirm the remaining lay Catholics and clergy in the faith. If there are any left, I would like to meet them. If they are dead, I would like to pray at their graves. I am also anxious to know how North Korean Catholics live their faith."
There are about 2,000 Catholics in the North. Official sources state that there are no clergy or religious. Nothing is known of Bishop Francis Hong Yong-ho, born in 1906, and appointed bishop of Pyongyang in 1962.
Zenit - The World Seen From Rome
15. november 2000