ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Cardinal Yeom: Christmas encourages the defense of nascent life

Thursday, 21 December 2017 human life   civil society   politics   local churches   human rights   christmas  

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - "As Christians, it is our duty to defend human life.The teaching of the Catholic Church clearly states that the human embryo should be considered as a human being and that no one has the right, under any circumstances, to eliminate a fragile life that has not yet come to light". This is what Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop of Seoul, says in the message published for Christmas 2017 and sent to Agenzia Fides.
The message, which is entitled "God shows his love for us", (Em, 5, 8) reflecting on the controversial issue in recent days: public opinion questions the opportunity whether or not to abolish the anti-abortion law. In such situation, the Cardinal emphasized the importance of "respect for human life", quoting Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Sì: "How can we genuinely teach the importance of concern for other vulnerable beings, however troublesome or inconvenient they may be, if we fail to protect a human embryo, even when its presence is uncomfortable and creates difficulties?" (Laudato Sì 120)
The Cardinal started the message by greeting all the Korean faithful, especially the marginalized, the sick, and the "brothers and sisters of the North". And he says: "Jesus comes to this world as a vulnerable child. Let us reflect on how we treat the marginalized and vulnerable around us. Do we treat them as we would treat Jesus?"
The text then condemns war, terrorism and violence that still take place all over the world and underlines social problems including inequality, collectivism and various types of discrimination. These tragic situations, he notes, still exist because of the "priority given to economic value, compared to every other reality".
"Reflecting on the humble birth of Jesus - the Cardinal continues - we should always remind ourselves to keep a humble mind that respects life and sympathizes with pain. As Christians, it is our duty to defend human life and take care of the elderly who are poor, immigrants who have no place to go, workers who work in dangerous places, children and women who have suffered domestic violence and young people who have lost hope".
Cardinal Yeom calls on political leaders to "defend and preserve the dignity of their fellow citizens in the continuous and demanding search for the common good", reiterating that the "respect for life" is the foundation of the welfare of society. (PA) (Agenzia Fides, 21/12/2017)


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