Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Tokyo (Fides Service) - After the horrors of war which led to hatred and enmity between Japan and Korea, young people from both sides are determined to build peace and good relations between their countries. For some years the respective Catholic Bishops’ Conferences have promoted meetings to give young Catholics an opportunity to meet and share impressions and ideas and form friendships.
Recently some 50 representatives of youth movements in both countries came together in Korea for the Japanese-Korean Catholic Youth Meeting to reflect on the themes of love and reconciliation. Young people from the diocese of Tokyo, Osaka, and Hiroshima spent three days in Korea as guests of their Korean peers. The meeting was an atmosphere of sharing and brotherhood.
At the end of the meeting during Mass one of the participants a Japanese priest referring to Japanese occupation in Korea in the period 1910-1945, asked young Koreans present: “You have forgiven us, haven’t you?”, and the assembly gave a unanimous positive reply.
The first brotherhood meeting between young Korean and Japanese Catholics was held in Paris in 1997, on the occasion of World Youth Day. Since then meetings have been held regularly helping to bring the two communities closer together. In 2006 the meeting will be hosted by the Japanese in Hiroshima.
The Bishops of the countries also meet regularly since 1994 for an annual meeting to discuss pastoral activities. The Church in both countries is committed to restoring harmony and good will among the people of Korea and the people of Japan.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2005 Righe: 28 Parole: 293)
