By Agenzia Fides
Apr 22 2024
SOUTH KOREA – The preparation for World Youth Day 2027 is an opportunity for fruitful collaboration between bishops, priests, religious and laity on a path of communion and synodality. The Organizing Committee set up in Seoul has been given a headquarters and its own work area in the archdiocese’s buildings: the young employees of the “Preliminary Research Team”, which consists of around 40 participants, including priests, religious and young people, will work there, meet, socialize and exchange ideas and prepare creatively for the upcoming WYD.
“We work, as the Apostle Paul says, in respect and communion of our respective charisms and responsibilities, within the Body of Christ, in an experience that makes us the Church,” emphasizes Auxiliary Bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee of Seoul, who leads the committee. In this context, the auxiliary bishop emphasizes the importance of promoting an inclusive and welcoming environment so that young people can actively participate and feel like protagonists.
Archbishop of Seoul Peter Chung Soon-taick and his auxiliary bishop Paul Kyung-sang Lee, along with a Korean delegation, will attend the upcoming International Youth Pastoral Congress organized by the Vatican Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life. At the Congress, the Korean team will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with youth leaders from around the world and work with the WYD Lisbon 2023 Organizing Committee. This exchange of ideas will not only enrich the planning process for World Youth Day in Seoul, but also promote the spirit of unity and solidarity towards this global event.
Archbishop Chung, in his capacity as chairman of the event committee for World Youth Day 2027, emphasized in an address to the participating clergy and young people: “The preparation process for World Youth Day in Seoul is itself a common path, under the sign of the synodal church,” hoping that “the journey towards WYD will be full of grace”.
The young Koreans who are part of the research group described their first impressions: Deborah Jang So-hyun wondered “how best to convey the love of God”; the answer was: “It is important to experience God’s love personally and to deepen the encounter with Christ, to give it to one’s neighbor not alone, but together.” Sister Son Sang-hee expressed her hope: “I believe that with prayers, our goodwill and our humility, the work of God can be accomplished through us.” Father Kim Sang-yoon of the Salesians of Don Bosco noted: “We start by listening: let us all listen carefully. Then we summarize what we collect and see where the Holy Spirit leads us. Let us not forget that “God does not leave us on this path, but is always with us and loves us.” – Agenzia Fides
