Archbishop Sun-taek: Lent is a time to make amends with God

The Archbishop of Seoul, Jeong Sun-taek, issued a Lenten pastoral letter with the theme "Reconcile with God now is a very gracious time" based on 2 Corinthians 5:20; 6: 2.

In his letter published on the diocese's website, Archbishop Sun-taek says that Lent is also a time when God invites each of us to examine ourselves before God.

In the pain and loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Archbishop Sun-taek assures the Korean Catholics, especially those in the Archdiocese of Seoul, that God did not forsake us, but he is silent with us on the cross in our suffering.

The prelate recognizes that, due to the unprecedented situation created by the COVID-19 pandemic, many of us cannot live our lives faithfully.

Not only that, but he also recalls that many of us are experiencing severe pain and loss due to the loss of loved ones, economic hardship, or having to give up precious dreams.

The prelate says that not only the lost and wandering youth, but the last time we accomplished so much, the value of the world seems to have left our hands and vanished in vain, but God is silent with us on the cross.

“God made his Son bleed for us sinners, and he died to wash us and make us his children,” said Archbishop Sun-taek.

He invites all believers to muster the courage necessary to overcome the pandemic collectively.

It is not a world in which only one country succeeds, but one in which the world as a whole world achieves together.

“We are all firmly grasping what we must do, " the archbishop stated.

South Korean Catholicism is expanding. In 2019, it had 5.6 million Catholics out of 51 million. Its quick rise is credited to its role in democratizing the country during the 1970s and 1980s.