Seoul Archbishop calls on priests not to involve in politics

As Catholic priests belonging to the North Jeolla branch of the Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice made controversial remarks on North Korea’s shelling of South Korean island Yeonpyeong and called for the resignation of President Park Geun-hye, the Roman Catholic Archbishop of Seoul, Yeom Soo-jeong, said that “priests must not directly involve in political and social issues” in accordance with the Catholic ordinance for the laymen. Although their dioceses are different, this remark by the archbishop who practically represents the Korean Catholic community is significant enough to draw attention.

Archbishop Yeom said in his sermon at a mass closing the Year of Faith in Myeongdong Cathedral, “Since politics is demonstration of love seeking common good for a community, political participation can also be an important way to serve the community with love,” citing the statement of Pope Francis.

However, the archbishop drew a clear line between the roles of ordinary believers and Catholic priests. He said, “The role of ordinary believers is to improve the order of secular world, thus each of them should spread the Gospel in his life, a politician as a politician and a teacher as a teacher.” He also stressed that “priests should help ordinary Catholics morally and spiritually through words and confirmations.”

The archbishop also said, “Pope John Paul II warned in the `Pastoral Guidelines for Fostering Vocations to Priestly Ministry` that (Catholic priests’) active participation in political and social issues may cause a division in church fellowship,’” advising that this is what “priests should give deep consideration to.”