[One Thousand Characters a Day] "Let's Become People Who Cultivate Peace"

Editor's NoteArchbishop Jeong Sun-taek, the Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, said in his New Year's address, "Let us become people who cultivate peace in our own places." Archbishop Jeong emphasized, "The way to build communion with God, neighbors, and ourselves, to practice mission by witnessing the Gospel through our lives, and to expand participation so that all members of the world live together as protagonists will lead us to the peaceful world we all long for." Word count: 613.

"Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts."

(Colossians 3:15)

Dear brothers and sisters!

The year 2024, Gapjin year, has dawned.

I pray that God's grace and blessings, which have granted us this new year, be abundant to all of you.

Recently, the whole world is groaning under more intense wars and violence than ever before, and we are all going through a time when peace is desperately needed. At times like this, let us pray that God grants peace to this world, and let us become people who cultivate peace in our own places.

The theme of this Synod, in which the entire Church community participated, "For a Synodal Church: Communion, Mission, and Participation," offers us a new way of life to achieve peace. Building "communion" with God, neighbors, and ourselves, practicing "mission" by witnessing the Gospel through life rather than the logic of the world, and promoting "participation" so that all members of the world live together as protagonists?this path will lead us to the peaceful world we all long for.

As we walk toward the "Synodal Church," I pray that the happiness of experiencing the joy of the Gospel will fill you and your families throughout this year.

Administrator of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang Diocese

Archbishop Jeong Sun-taek Peter