A Korean archbishop hopes that the upcoming World Youth Day in Seoul will usher in a new beginning for liberation, peace, and reconciliation.
In his message for the Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, celebrated every August 15, Seoul Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick said that young people are leading the Church’s path of Synodality, which calls for genuine communion and unity.
“The footsteps of the young people will enliven the path of the Synod prepared by the Church,” he said.
“I earnestly pray that this exciting spectacle will brighten up the entire process of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, including the preparation process. I hope that all young people of different faiths in the world will also walk this path paved with hospitality.”
August 15 also marks the National Liberation Day of Korea, commemorating the country's independence from Japanese colonial rule in 1948.
In line with this, Archbishop Soon-taick reflected on how listening, a character exemplified by the Blessed Virgin Mary, offers a certain path towards peace and unity.
“Listening requires silence. In silent listening, we find a form of self-giving… Listening brings unity, and the steps of faith taken by those who have experienced unity and healed the wounds of division are more powerful,” he said.
The prelate also encouraged the faithful to learn from the lessons of the past to build a peaceful future.
“The Republic of Korea… has grown into a democratic and cultural nation that the world admires, despite the wounds left by the war… Have we been freed from the antagonism and hatred that lies deep within us?” he said.
Furthermore, Archbishop Soon-taick sends his blessings and prayers of peace to their compatriots in North Korea.
On July 28, the Archdiocese of Seoul formally launched World Youth Day 2027, signaling the beginning of preparations for the biggest youth gathering in the world.
This will be the second time an Asian country will be hosting this global event, following the one held in Manila, Philippines in 1995.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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