Late Father Ahn Chungseok, Founder of the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice, Posthumously Awarded Moran Medal of Civil Merit

Vice Minister Yong Hoseong Visits Memorial Altar on the 29th to Present Medal
Recognized for Dedication to Democratization and Protection of the Socially Marginalized

On July 29, the government announced that it had posthumously awarded the late Catholic priest Father Ahn Chungseok (aged 86 at the time of death / baptismal name: Luka), who passed away on July 27, with the Order of Civil Merit, Moran Medal (Second Class).

The Order of Civil Merit, Moran Medal, was posthumously awarded at the funeral altar of the late Father Ahn Choongseok, set up in the basement chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral. Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul Public Relations Committee

According to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, on the afternoon of July 29, First Vice Minister Yong Hoseong visited the underground chapel of Myeongdong Cathedral, where Father Ahn Chungseok's memorial altar was set up, to pay his respects and present the decoration.

The late Father Ahn Chungseok was born in Icheon, Gyeonggi Province in 1939 and was ordained as a priest in 1967. He served as an assistant priest at the Yongsan and Jongno parishes of the Archdiocese of Seoul, and as a parish priest at the Dongdaemun, Imun-dong, Geumho-dong, Ahyeon-dong, Sadang-dong, Godeok-dong, and Irwon-dong parishes, dedicating his life to his pastoral duties. Beginning with his involvement in the establishment of the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice in 1974, he devoted himself to the realization of democracy and justice in Korean society. He also served as the director of the Ahn Junggeun Peace Institute and as co-chairman of the National Conference for Independent and Peaceful Unification, working to lay the foundation for peaceful reunification.

Additionally, he participated in the "3·1 Declaration for Democracy and National Salvation" at Myeongdong Cathedral in 1976 and the "5·18 Democratization Movement" in Gwangju in 1980, promoting the democratization movement in solidarity with civil society. He was also dedicated to protecting socially marginalized groups, including workers, people with disabilities, and migrant workers. In recognition of these contributions, the government decided to posthumously award him the Order of Civil Merit, Moran Medal.

His published works include "Spirituality of Korean Martyrs," "Justice and Love," "The Christian Life of Faith," and "Living the Kingdom of God in This World," among others.

The funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on July 30 at Myeongdong Cathedral, celebrated jointly by Archbishop Jeong Soon-taek, the head of the Archdiocese, and the priesthood. The burial site will be the clergy section of Yongin Park Cemetery of the Archdiocese of Seoul.