Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Fides Service) - On 4 December the archdiocese of Seoul held its own Pro Life Day. In South Korea the Pro Life Movement is a significant reality of Catholic presence organising events and demonstrations to promote respect for life from the moment of conception to natural death.
On the occasion of the Day the Catholic community reaffirmed its commitment to promote the dignity of every human life and a culture of life. Events organised included a Mass for Life, a Concert, conferences and rallies with collection of signatures to abolish the death penalty. The diocese received messages of support from over 1,000 different dioceses and 170 different countries as well as a message and a blessing from the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI.
The ‘Life Mass’ was celebrated by the archbishop of Seoul Archbishop Nicholas Cheong, with Card. Stephen Kim and with Archbishop Emil Paul Tscherrig, Papal Nuncio in Korea. The cathedral was packed to capacity with Catholics and non Catholics in favour of life.
In his homily Archbishop Cheong said: “In efforts to defend human rights the Church in our time must give priority to promoting respect for the dignity of human life”, and he added that “to promote awareness of the dignity of human life is a good way of practising our faith”.
In recent months in Korea Catholics have intensified efforts to protect life to respond to the activity of Korean Prof. Hwang Woo-suk, pioneer in human cloning. On 16 November Prof. Hwang announced he was retiring as director of the world’s first stem cell data bank and other positions in government organisations. Prof Hwang is being investigated by Korea’s National Bio-ethics Committee for improper acquisition and use of ova for stem cell research.
(Agenzia Fides 9/12/2005 righe 29 parole 294)
