ASIA/SOUTH KOREA – A missionary says “thank you Pope Francis: now it is up to us”

Tuesday, 2 September 2014

Suwon (Agenzia Fides) – “We Catholics in Korea thank Pope Francis for the unforgettable words and witness he left with us. Now it is up to us, here in Korea, to work to see that these ‘seeds of a new world grow and become life”: Fides heard from Italian Oblate Missionary Fr. Vincenzo Bordo, OMI, who, 22 years ago in the city of Suwon, opened Anna House, to care for the elderly, abandoned children, the homeless, the jobless.
Fr Bordo told Fides: “In Korea the Pope spoke about reconciliation, forgiveness, dialogue, special care for the poor. But above all he showed exemplary tenderness towards the suffering: abandoned elderly persons, disabled persons, families of the recent ferry disaster casualties, ‘comfort women’. Embracing those few he helped to heal the wounds of an entire nation. Now, following those unforgettable days, we, the Christians here, must live the heritage he left us, walking along the same path ”.
Fr. Bordo recalled certain moments of the papal visit, significant also for the future of Christians in Korea: “Addressing Korea’s president ,Ms Park, who is tackling the question of North Korea with the determination of military force, Pope Francis spoke of dialogue, patience and respectful listening. With genuine love he embraced a disabled women: for the puritans of religion this gesture might have seemed inopportune. The parents of young people drowned in the Sewol ferry are protesting against government inadequacy: meeting some of them the Pope showed affection and sympathy. To embrace ‘comfort women (forced into prostitution by Japanese troops in wartime) might affect sensitive relations with Japan, but Pope Francis arranged for them to sit in the front row during the Mass in the Cathedral. His behaviour may not have been ‘politically correct’, but Pope Francis has no fear of hypocrites: he loved tenderly, he listened respectfully, he comforted the suffering. His example will serve as a source of inspiration for all Christians in Korea”. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 2/9/2014)


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