[김애란] Peace talks

Peace talks

Now and then, we often talk about peace and reconciliation in Korea. All religious people have prayed for this intention throughout many years. I do believe there is an untiring power of prayers behind all the efforts to be closer to collaborate among the nations.

On the first day of January every year, the Catholic Church begins with a message of peace. This year we also celebrated the 51st International Day of Peace, with the title of “migrants and refugees: men and women in search of peace.” In a message, Pope Francis suggested to create “our common home” with four mileposts for action: welcoming migrants and displaced people with hospitality, protecting them from risks and abuses, promoting integral human development, and integrating to allow them to participate fully in society. 

As Pope Francis said, only “a contemplative gaze” with compassion on the miserable people can promote peace beyond the ideologies of various countries. He recommended, “In a spirit of compassion, let us embrace all those fleeing from war and hunger, or forced by discrimination, persecution, poverty and environmental degradation to leave their homelands.”

The International Day of Peace approved by the U.N. has also been celebrated on Sept. 21 since 1981. 

Even North Korean leader Kim Jong-un talks often about peace, and he expressed his intention during the inter-Korean summit with Moon Jae-in in September to invite Pope Francis to North Korea. A North Korean religious association established Changchung Cathedral in 1988 in Pyongyang. We don’t know how many people would be there surviving in silence. 

On Nov. 6, the committee of the reconciliation of the people of Korea, established in 2006 in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Uijeongbu, and the Catholic Times co-held the second international academic conference on the topic of the role of Catholics for peace on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia at the Catholic Church of Repentance and Atonement in Paju. 

Prof. Maryann Cusimano Love from the Catholic University of America talked about having just causes such as the dignity of human life and common goodness, good intentions, participation, recovery, right relations, reconciliation and the possibility of continuing just causes with the help of religious institutes to realize a just peace on the peninsula and Northeast Asia regardless of the transfer of leadership. 

Philip McDonagh, ex-Irish ambassador, mentioned his personal perspectives on the establishment of peace in Ireland, Europe and Northeast Asia. Among his suggestions are having dialogue to promote a culture of peace, respecting the different economic and social systems in a more practical, gradual and trusting way, and sharing creative ideas to narrow the distances between economic and social systems across the South and the North.

Monsignor Alfred Xuereb encouraged people, saying the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia will strengthen the basis to proceed with the most necessary healing reconciliation.

The Korea Catholic Church has long prepared for the Mission in North Korea since 1984 in celebration of the 200th anniversary of the foundation of the Korean Catholic Church. The mission team started its work with saying the Rosary every day and celebrating Mass with the special intention for the peace of the Korean Peninsula in the open field of Imjingak Pavilion in Paju. The Peace & Unity Center at the Catholic Church of Repentance and Atonement was established in 2015 to pray constantly for reconciliation and unity.

The 1950-53 Korean War marked those who experienced the fratricidal war with an enormous hurt. These miserable memories due to martyrdom under communism still linger deep in the hearts of our elders. 

We still need lots of works for true forgiveness, reconciliation and peace. Before declaring the termination of the war and agreeing to maintain peace, our pains should be first healed through forgiveness that begins deep from the heart. Transcending and transforming hurtful hatred into forgiveness takes time, but I believe we can realize it through our constant and faithful prayers.