South Korean bishops say peace possible only with dialogue, patience

Published: 2006-10-16

SEOUL, South Korea (CNS) -- Catholic bishops in South Korea have insisted that peace in the Korean peninsula can be achieved only through dialogue and patience, after North Korea announced it had conducted a nuclear test Oct. 9. The bishops issued their Message for Peace and Reconciliation Oct. 13, after discussing the nuclear test during their Oct. 9-12 general meeting. In their message, they said they "cannot but feel deep sorrow" at the North's decision to conduct the test, and they stressed that North Korea "must cooperate with us to maintain peace." The bishops also said that having a nuclear weapon "cannot be justified in any way," even if it is for self-defense, reported UCA News, an Asian church news agency based in Thailand. "Peace can be achieved only through incessant forgiveness and reconciliation," the bishops said, urging the international community to walk the path of reconciliation and peace through dialogue and negotiation. The message, published in Korean and English, was signed by Auxiliary Bishop Lucas Kim Woon-hoe of Seoul, president of the bishops' Committee for the Reconciliation of the Korean People, and Bishop Boniface Choi Ki-san of Inchon, president of the bishops' Committee for Justice and Peace.

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