A “reconciliation” Mass at Gwangju’s Imdong Cathedral turned into a protest as parishioners vented their anger over what they believed to be local Archbishop Andreas Choi Chang-mou protecting a former parish priest who allegedly misappropriated money from the cathedral. During the July 26 Mass in Imdong Cathedral in Gwangju (Kwangju), presided over by Archbishop Choi and 15 concelebrants, some of the 400-strong congregation shouted as the priest involved, Fr Raymundus Shin Dong-sul, recited a prayer, UCA News reports.
The protestors accuse their former parish priest of misappropriating some 250 million won (US$200,000) since 2001. Father Shin was transferred to another parish in 2007 and made archdiocesan procurator in 2008.
Archdiocesan chancellor Fr Chrysostomus Kim Kye-hong told parishioners the Mass was intended to be an act of “reconciliation” between the priest and his accusers.
Fr Kim told parishioners the allegation that the archbishop was protecting Fr Shin was groundless and that the archbishop is urging the two sides to pursue “clear and objective fact-finding.”
However, halfway, through his message, protesters turned off his microphone and the lights in the building. Others walked out of the cathedral and later argued with Archbishop Choi and the Mass concelebrants as they tried to leave.
Fr Kim told UCA News on July 28 that it is unimaginable that parishioners would resort to disrupting a Mass whatever grievances they might be nursing. He said groundless rumors have aggravated the situation.
“Anyway, it is shameful that priests are involved in such a situation. Excited parishioners should calm down and solve the problem though dialogue with us,” he said.
Fr Kim, however, managed to complete reading out his message during the Mass despite the disruption.
Fr Kim message also said the archdiocese would abide by the police investigation.
He said that Fr Shin and Fr Jacob Song Chong-eui, the priest who replaced him at the cathedral, and who had also accused him of the misdeed, were ordered to leave their posts for a “vacation to reflect upon themselves”.
However, parish pastoral council expressed different views.
“We as Catholics well know we should not disturb a Mass. But it was spontaneous as we were very disappointed and angry at the archbishop who has tried to conceal the truth,” one of them told UCA News.
He said the council issued “an appeal to parishioners” on July 23, saying that Fr Shin, along with a parish official, had misappropriated money in connection with several contracts on church buildings.
But the archbishop still insists on defending Fr Shin and is not listening to the parishioners, the council member stated.
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