Korea: Seoul Archdiocese transforms Cathedral into campsite for WYD

Archbishop Peter with young people. Image Communications Committee, Archdiocese of Seoul

Source: Vatican Media

Around 600 young people gathered for the Camp at the Cathedral on Friday, organized by the World Youth Day (WYD) Seoul 2027 Local Organizing Committee (LOC). The event aimed to build bridges between the Church and its younger followers through dialogue and shared experiences.

Themed 'Do not fear: I am with you' (Isaiah 41:10), the setting was unlike anything previously seen at Myeongdong Cathedral.

The Cathedral forecourt was transformed into a campsite, with groups of ten sitting in circles on camping chairs, facilitated by clergy, sisters, or volunteers. The arrangement included snacks, beer, and refreshments, creating an intimate and welcoming environment.

Initially, many young attendees were surprised and a bit cautious about sitting close to bishops, but as the evening progressed, barriers dissolved and meaningful conversations unfolded.

During the event, four young keynote speakers addressed the challenges contemporary youth face and shared their faith experiences. Each presentation led to group discussions, inspired by the Synod.

Sang-wook Lee, president of the Youth Federation of the Archdiocese of Seoul, highlighted the diminishing support from the Church that many young volunteers encounter and the resultant spiritual apathy.

"We need new community events that are not conventional and good leaders to help young people find the meaning of service," Lee said.

Archbishop Peter Soon-Taick Chung expressed his gratitude for the young participants' honesty and willingness to share their stories.

"It was a precious time to hear the stories of your lives. I am grateful to the young people for their valuable time. We will continue to organize various gatherings to share stories with you as the protagonists," he remarked.

Echoing Pope Francis, the prelate added: "God loves us just as we are, no matter what we accomplish or who we become. May you experience through the WYD preparation process that God is always with you in your joys, sorrows, and hurts."

In a statement, the LOC said its initiative mirrors Archbishop Chung's dedication to hearing the voices of young people.

"Camp at the Cathedral" successfully exemplified this vision and provided a unique platform for dialogue between the Church's leaders and its future stewards," the statement read.

Last year, Pope Francis announced Seoul as the host city for World Youth Day 2027. In response, Archbishop Chung, committed to creating an event that promotes "fraternity, spirituality, and social cohesion" across different cultures and religions.