Following a deadly North Korean artillery attack on a South Korean
island, the South’s Catholic bishops called for peace.
They urged
“strong intervention” from the international community, especially
China, to avoid the “catastrophe” of war.
North Korean artillery attacked Yeonpyeong-do Island in the Yellow
Sea on Nov. 23.
The surprise attack killed two marines and two
civilians, and injured 13 marines and three civilians, UCA News reports.
The attack also damaged the only Catholic church on the island, which
has 450 Catholic residents in a total population of about 1,700.
Two shells fell on the church grounds and the windows of the main
church building were damaged. The old rectory was partly demolished and a
van was destroyed, according to Fr. Johannes Kim Yong-hwan, chancellor
of the Diocese of Incheon.
South Korean officials said North Korea fired 200 artillery shells
onto the island and set more than 60 buildings on fire.
The South
returned fire with about 80 artillery rounds, UCA News reports.
The North and South are technically still at war since the countries’ armistice in 1953.
Bishop Peter Kang U-il of Cheju, president of the South Korean bishops’ conference, responded to the attack.
“Let us pray that the situation does not get any worse and does not
become an open conflict. We pray that the Lord gives to all leaders and
all of us the strength and light to overcome this crisis. Today we live
in a time of great confusion and also of fear,” he told Fides news
agency.
Saying that the reasons for the attack are not yet known, the bishop
said it appears to be based on “political tactics” and perhaps is a
distraction from North Korea’s “dramatic” internal problems.
He
explained that the economic situation there is difficult and North
Koreans face hunger and misery.
“I am sure that the leaders of the North know that war does not
amount to anything, that it is just a catastrophe that hurts civilians.
It is a situation that we should try to avoid at all costs,” Bishop Kang
commented.
“Conflict can only bring destruction.”
“I urge a strong intervention by the international community which
cannot close its eyes to this situation. It also requires involving
China, which has a power of influence over North Korea, to understand
the roots and causes of this crisis,” he continued.
The bishops expect prayers for peace from the Universal Church.
Bishop Kang explained that peace is not simply the fruit of human will
or diplomatic action.
Rather, it is help from God.
“We ask the Holy Father to pray for us, for peace and for the good of
the Korean people,” he concluded, saying there is hope because “we
continue to trust in God’s providence.”
SIC: CNA/INT'L