오늘은 한국의 성인들을 기리는 날입니다.
김 대건 신부님과 정하상 바오로와 동료 순교자를 위한 미사가
전 세계에서 동시에 드려졌습니다.
이 곳에서도 한국의 순교자들을 위한 미사가 거행이 되었습니다.
미사가 끝나고 많은 분들이 저에게 와서
한국의 성인들에 대해 물었습니다.
그 분들을 통해
제가 신앙의 선조들에 대해
많은 것을 모르고 있다는 것을 배웠습니다.
우리의 것이 소중한 것임을 다시 한번 깨닫게 됩니다.
그리고 내년에는 더 많은 것을 준비해 보아야 하겠습니다.
나에게 물려주신 신앙의 선조들의 믿음.
지금 우리가 간직하고 있는 신앙은
그 분들이 계셨기에 가능함을 잊지 말아야 하겠습니다.
뿌리를 잊어 버린다는 것은 나 자신의 존재를 가벼이 여기는 것과 같습니다.
오늘 했던 강론을 이 곳에 옮겨 봅니다.
Since its foundation some 3,000 years ago,
Korea has preserved its own unique history and culture.
Geographically Korea is located in a peninsular
between China and Japan
and it had developed ties with these two countries
through the cultural exchanges.
At that time,
the traditional religions of Korea were Buddhism and Confucianism.
But also many Koreans believed in shamanism
alongside of these two religions.
Catholicism first was introduced into Korea in the 17th century.
By that time, Catholicism had already spread in China and Japan,
and Koreans who were in contact with these two countries
knew of its existence.
Catholic Books in Chinese language were transmitted to Korea
from the 17th century.
Some Korean literati got an idea of this new religion
through reading and studying these books on Catholicism,
and tried to practice it by themselves.
One of them, Yi Seung-hun, went to Beijing to be baptized
and on his return to Korea he founded a Christian community.
This was in October, 1784.
With this historical event
we can affirm that the Catholic Church in Korea was established,
not by European missionaries,
but by the spontaneous efforts of Korean people.
The Church was developed through the efforts of Korean believers.
Those who led in the early stage of the Church
belonged to the noble class.
However, from the beginning,
the door of the Church was opened to all the people of society.
Soon the majority of the faithful
as well as the leadership of the community
became the non-privileged people who were oppressed
by the ruling class at that time.
The Catholic Church in Korea was suppressed from its early days
because the government considered Catholicism
to be opposed to the Neo-Confucianism
which was the guiding ideal of the government at that time.
The principle of equality of all mankind which Catholics pursued
was judged as a dangerous belief that contravenes
the social hierarchical system.
Furthermore the contact of the Catholics with foreigners
without the permission of the government
was regarded as a criminal act.
The newly born Church,
seeking communion with the universal Church,
was in contact with the Vicar Apostolic of Beijing.
About 10,000 of the faithful died martyrs
in persecutions that lasted for more than one hundred years.
Among them 103 martyrs
including the first Korean priest Father Andrew Kim Tae-gon
were canonized on May 6th, 1984 at Yoido, Seoul, Korea,
by the Pope John Paul II.
Therefore we can celebrate feast of them.
Today we remember the Korean martyrs --
St. Andrew Kim Taegon, priest;
St. Paul Chong Hasang, lay leader;
and 101 companions.
They remind me of the words of Jesus
when he refers to the seed that fell on rich soil:
"They are the ones who, when they have heard the word,
embrace it with a generous and good heart,
and bear fruit through perseverance."
The Word of God planted in Korea has indeed borne abundant fruit!