SEOUL (SE): The Korean Catholic community reaffirmed their role as “Masters of Peace” for the Korean Peninsula and the world at the 10th Korean Peninsula Peace-sharing Forum, held on November 14 at Myeong-dong Cathedral in Seoul.
Hosted by the Korea Reconciliation Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul and organised by the Institute for Peace-Sharing, the event brought together clergy and experts from across the globe to share peacebuilding experiences and address the Church’s role in reconciliation between North and South Korea.
This year’s theme, “Masters of Peace and the Catholic Community,” drew inspiration from Pope Francis’s encyclical, Fratelli Tutti.
In his welcoming address, Archbishop Peter Soon-taick Chung of Seoul, said, “Through his encyclical Fratelli Tutti, the late Pope Francis likened peace to architecture and art, teaching us to become ‘Masters of Peace’ who, creatively and boldly, embark on a journey of healing and new encounters” [para. 225].
He added, “Our Christian sense of mission to achieve peace is needed now more than ever,” urging all to “actively participate in the path to achieving peace on the Korean Peninsula and in the world within the Catholic community.”
Our Christian sense of mission to achieve peace is needed now more than ever,
Archbishop Chung
Archbishop Giovanni Gaspari, apostolic nuncio to Korea, praised the Forum’s contribution to the Christian and civil community, noting it has “become a point of reference.”
He emphasised, “Our Church is called to serve as patient bridge-builders, offering hope and healing with gentle hands and open hearts.” Youth engagement was highlighted as “a concrete way of bringing [this] light of Christ to our society and the Korean Peninsula.”
Keynote speaker, Katarina Zellweger, the former director of Caritas Internationalis’ North Korea Programme, shared insights from her years in Pyongyang and humanitarian work. “Although the road back to diplomacy and engagement will be long and difficult—again, patience and determination will be needed,” she stated, adding, “When the door to North Korea opens again, we need to be ready to take action.”
After the keynote, three sessions explored the Church’s responsibilities in promoting peace, the role of Catholic youth, and practical steps for conflict resolution on the Korean Peninsula.
In the first session, Professor Eli McCarthy highlighted non-violence and anti-discrimination campaigns, proposing a joint American-Korean Church training hub for young peacebuilders. He suggested that World Youth Day 2027 could spark global momentum for peace.
Although the road back to diplomacy and engagement will be long and difficult—again, patience and determination will be needed
Katarina Zellweger
Myla Leguro described CRS work in promoting inter-religious dialogue in Mindanao and demonstrated how Catholic NGOs can address structural violence and foster cooperation.
During the Youth Peace Forum, the Thomas Society presented interim findings on the global youth peace movement and Catholic youth’s awareness of peace. Their research aims to help shape the Church’s message ahead of the 2027 World Youth Day and the centenary of the Diocese of Pyongyang.
Bona Lee, a researcher, highlighted the pivotal role of youth in challenging the status quo, stressing the Church’s duty to empower them. She said, “The peace we must speak of at the Seoul World Youth Day should not be an abstract slogan, but rather the issues of violence and conflict we face in today’s reality.”
Another researcher, Teresa Benedicta Kim, drawing on interviews, noted, “The young people clearly recognised that their lives are deeply connected to society and further to the Korean Peninsula.” She added, “If young people can build peace through small acts of practice, even amid the anxieties of their daily life, that will be the starting point for becoming ‘Masters of Peace.’”
If young people can build peace through small acts of practice, even amid the anxieties of their daily life, that will be the starting point for becoming ‘Masters of Peace’
Teresa Benedicta Kim
Both research teams plan to finalise their findings with feedback from participants and the audience.
In the final session, Seo-jeong Son shared “in-depth interviews to capture the meaning of peace realised in the lives of these priests.” She noted the difficulty of discussing peace in parish churches amid ideological divisions and called for an expanded Church role through education, research, and media.
Distinguished guests included Andrew Cardinal Yeom Soo-jung, Archbishop Gaspari, and ambassadors from Mexico and Costa Rica, all of whom have shown enduring support for peace initiatives on the Korean Peninsula.
Looking ahead, the Korea Reconciliation Committee and Institute for Peace-Sharing will organise further events and collaborate globally, especially in preparation for World Youth Day 2027 and the centenary of the Diocese of Pyongyang.
