Dear brothers and sisters in our Lord Christ!
We are gathered here in Seoul, Korea, to join the Anglican Peace and Justice Network from all around the world. I welcome you all. As you know, this is the last year of the 20th century. The next year opens the new millenium. It is timely and very meaningful to have the APJN conference at this particular moment anticipating the 21st century. Even after more than 50 years, the Korean peninsular is still divided into North and South. In this land where the fear and anxiety of war remains, having the APJN conference bears a quite symbolic meaning.
According to the scriptures, God has created the world in which humankind shares a common humanity; therefore, each person has equal dignity and value. That God-given dignity and value must not be hurt. Unfortunately, however, sin has penetrated into humanity, and human dignity has been wounded. The power of evil has created divisions between humans, and the strong oppress the weak. The harmony among human societies has been ruined. Up to now, the history of humankind has been stained by endless conflicts and violence between tribes and nations. God has sent Christ Jesus to bring an end to all these divisions in this world. Through his passion, death, and resurrection, Jesus has established reconciliation and peace between God and humanity, and between peoples. "Peace be with you!" This was the first word that Jesus spoke to the group of his disciples after his resurrection (Jn. 20:20). He has also called his followers to be peacemakers among peoples. "Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God!" (Mt. 5:9). We are here in response to that call to be Christ followers, in other words, peacemakers. I urge you to take this APJN as a wonderful opportunity to respond to our Lord with grateful hearts and joy.
You will surely discuss these issues deeply and profoundly, but let me remind you of the Lambeth resolutions around some issues. First, the issue of international debt and economic justice. Those poor nations in the third world borrowed a lot of money from the first world nations for economic development and poverty reduction. On the contrary, they have become poorer countries than before. Poverty has rather been accelerated, and these nations are unable to pay the debt. They lose autonomy to international creditors, and their societies are restless under the burden. In order for the hundreds of millions of people in these unfortunate nations to protect their equal human dignity, debt cancellation is a necessary step, concluded the Lambeth conference. Now, how to make this happen is our task.
Second, the issue of social justice and peace. It is not unusal to hear almost everyday about violence, international refugees, starvation, the extermination of indigenous peoples, and civil war between tribes. Particularly what is happening in Kosovo is very tragic. A number of Kosovo people have been killed by the extreme means of racial cleansing. Nato's air attacks are also increasing the number of deaths in the former Yugoslavia. No one can exclude the possible danger of turning this situation into a worldwide tragedy. It is surely time for prayer while urging a peace process to stop the war.
Third is the issue of Korean unification. Lambeth Resolution V.26 tells that the conference supports the efforts of the National Council of Churches in Korea, including the Anglican Church of Korea. Korea's division was not a Korean choice. The ideological confrontation between superpowers victimized this nation to pay such an unbearable price for a long time. Now Korea is the only divided nation. To end this, the reunification of Korea is necessary and urgent. The Anglican Church of Korea has actively participated in KNCC's efforts to achieve reunification. Fr. John Lee recently visited North Korea as chair of the unification committee in KNCC. As president of KNCC, I also try to be an active part of Korean Christian churches efforts for reunification. President Kim Daejung's so called Sunshine Policy is to seek reunification by helping North Korea in many ways. North Korea is suffering from economic difficulty and severe food shortage. Noting that to help North Korea in need will be a road for reunification, the Christian Churches in the South with KNCC as the center try to help the North continually with food, fertilizer, and medical products.
James 3:18 tells that the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. You are all peacemakers. And your efforts will certainly bear the fruit of righteousness. God's blessing will be upon you all. It is a blessing and joy itself to work for peace because Christ himself is our peace (Eph. 2:14). I hope this meeting held in Korea will be a chance for you all to gain a better understanding of the Korean situation. May this Seoul conference be a stepping stone for the Anglican Peace and Justice Network to make a great contribution to our dear communion and world peace.
