Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik (Vatican News)
By LiCAS.news
Oct 14 2021
Korean Archbishop Lazarus You Heung-sik, prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy, spoke about his life experience during the opening of the synodal process convened by Pope Francis on Saturday, October 9.
I was born into a family with no religious faith. I went to secondary school and high school in a Catholic school, which bore the name of our martyr Andrea Kim Taegon. He was the first Korean priest and gave his life for others. His testimony attracted me a lot.
I was baptized on Christmas Eve 1966. I was 16 years old. I was the first Christian in my family. Knowing Jesus, I felt the urge to open my heart to others. So, for example, at school, together with my Christian friends, we carried out various services. An immense horizon has opened up before me more and more.
Later I entered the major seminary in Seoul. It wasn’t easy, because no one in my family understood my decision.
After three years of seminary, we had to do military service. In this harsh environment, I have found that love wins everything. I experienced the power of witness: little by little hundreds of my companions were baptized.
During my 41 years as a priest and then as a bishop, the example of Jesus always challenged me in the washing of the feet. And even more his offering on the Cross. It was above all there that he was a priest.
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