Korean Catholics take part in 'Vaccine-Sharing Campaign'

Donation ceremony l-r: Fr Dionysus Kim, Augustine Sohn, Bishop Matthias Ri, Fr Simon Cho

Source: Archdiocese of Seoul

Catholics in South Korea have once again responded to the call of Pope Francis to provide Covid-19 vaccines to poor countries around the world. A ceremony was held by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) on Tuesday, December 7, 2021 to mark the donation made by the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Korea, Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation(CPBC) and the Catholic Times of Korea. Their donation of US$ 300,000 will be sent to the Vatican through Fr Dionysus Kim, Augustine Sohn, Bishop Matthias Ri, Fr Simon Cho.

Bishop Matthias Iong-hoon Ri, Bishop of the Diocese of Suwon and President of the CBCK, Augustine Byeong-seon Sohn, President of the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Korea, Fr Simon Jung-Rae Cho, President of CPBC together with Fr Dionysus Moon-sang Kim, CEO and publisher of the Catholic Times of Korea, attended this ceremony.

In accordance with CBCK's decision to launch the 'Vaccine-Sharing Campaign' at its general assembly which was held from 8 to 12 March, 2021, the three organizations established a task force on the campaign, aiming to raise awareness among the faithful as well as all citizens of the country to ensure equitable, timely and universal access to COVID-19 vaccines for every country in the world. The task force ran a telephone fund-raising campaign while making a theme song and a music video which can be found on CPBC's YouTube channel3 inform and inspire all people across the country.

Pope Francis expressed his gratitude to Cardinal Yeom and the Korean Catholics by sending a letter in July and October. The Pope wrote in his letter: "I very much appreciated this gesture of charity and generosity, thanks to which many suffering people will receive an aid. I embrace you and your Archdiocese, granting my affection and my spiritual closeness."

Meanwhile, it has been reported that the Catholic Church in Korea has sent the Vatican more than US$ 5 million raised by 16 dioceses and is going to donate another US$ 6 million by the end of the year.