PRESS RELEASE
Catholicosate of Cilicia
Communication and Information Department
Tel: (04) 410001, 410003
Fax: (04) 419724
E- mail: cathcil@cathcil.org
Web:
PO Box 70 317
Antelias-Lebanon
Armenian version:
MEETING THE SOUTH KOREAN PRESIDENT, HIS HOLINESS ARAM I UNDERSCORES THE
IMPORTANCE OF RECONCILIATION
WCC-Geneva _ KOREA – South Korean president Roh Moo-hyun has expressed his
strong appreciation of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the
ecumenical movement for its “fundamental assistance” in support of human
rights and democratization in his country. He has also welcomed the
contribution of the churches to promoting a peaceful reunification of
divided Korea.
Receiving the members of WCC executive committee and Korean church leaders
in Seoul on 24 August, the president stated his warm personal appreciation
for the role of the WCC and of the National Council of Churches (NCCK) in
encouraging democracy and raising awareness of justice and human rights
issues in Korea.
The president, who worked as a human rights lawyer defending pro-democracy
and labor rights activists before taking up political office, was involved
in the NCCK human rights programme. The contact with NCCK and the churches
“opened my eyes to human rights and justice issues”, he stated.
The WCC, together with the NCCK, actively supported the nascent human rights
movement in Korea during the 1970s and 1980s during the period of the
military dictatorship.
In talks with the president and with representatives of the Korean Ministry
of Unification, the WCC leaders underlined the continued engagement of the
churches and ecumenical movement in fostering a peaceful reunification of
Korea. South and North Korea have been separated since the Korean war ended
in 1954.
WCC moderator Catholicos Aram I underscored how the Christian understanding
of reconciliation was closely linked to unification and the overcoming of
division. “We are called by God in Jesus Christ to strive for reconciliation
and unity in all its forms. WCC is committed to working with all people of
goodwill to overcome the barriers which divide our societies”, he said.
The commitment of WCC to the reunification of Korea was echoed by WCC
general secretary Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia. “WCC stands for de-nuclearisation
and disarmament in the Korean peninsula based on a negotiated agreement by
all parties as a foundation of peace, and will continue to promote a policy
of dialogue and exchange”, he said.
During an exchange with executive committee members, president Roh Moo-hyun
also expressed his support for the invitation of the Korean churches and of
NCCK to host a future WCC assembly in Korea. The WCC general secretary
thanked the president and said that the “WCC hopes and prays that an
assembly would be possible in a united Korea in the near future”.
The WCC executive committee will issue a statement on Korea at the end of
the week that will express its serious concern about the human rights and
humanitarian situation in North Korea, and will outline ongoing ecumenical
efforts for the peaceful reunification of the divided country.
The WCC executive committee is meeting in Seoul 24-27 August on the
invitation of NCCK and the Korean churches.
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The Armenian Catholicosate of Cilicia is one of the two Catholicosates of
the Armenian Orthodox Church. For detailed information about the Ecumenical
activities of the Cilician Catholicosate, you may refer to the web page of
the Catholicosate, The Cilician Catholicosate, the
administrative center of the church is located in Antelias, Lebanon.