SW News: The Church in Korea has officially opened the canonization cause of three priests who played a key role in its history down the ages. The Commission for Beatification and Canonization of the Archdiocese of Seoul opened the cause of Bishop Barthelemy Bruguiere of the Paris Foreign Mission, who was the first Vicar Apostolic of Korea; Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, who was the archbishop of Seoul from 1968-1998; and Fr Andrew Moo Bang Ah Yoo Ryong, who founded the Order of the Blessed Korean Martyrs.

The archdiocesan statement says that the three are “examples of faith for all and the Church intends to exalt them as people who have distinguished themselves for their virtue  and holiness among believers.” The statement was issued by Auxiliary Bishop King Job Koo Yobi, who is the president of the Commission as well. The three candidates were given the title of Servant of God after the Holy See gave the Korean Church the green signal to proceed with their cause.

The first phase is the setting up of a tribunal at the diocesan level to examine the evidence and testimonies and other documents. It will be followed by the second phase in the Holy See with the Congregation for the Cause of Saints. Bishop Bruguiere (1792-1835) was the first Apostolic Vicar of the Korean Peninsula as well as the first Coadjutor bishop of Siam. He passed away in China and his remains were brought to Seoul in 1931.
Fr Andrew (1900-1986) was engaged in spreading the Catholic faith in South

Korea through inculturation. He was inspired by the example of the Korean martyrs and by the manner in which European missionaries undertook pastoral work in his country. The third candidate Cardinal Stephen Kim is a national hero. He served as Bishop of Seoul from 1968 and was given the red hat by Pope Paul VI in 1969. During its difficult days, he led the South Korean Church with fortitude and courage earning the love and respect of the masses. He also boldly defended democracy, human dignity and rights during the transition to democracy from military rule in South Korea.

The Korean Church has 103 saints and 124 blesseds. They include St Andrew Kim Dae-geon, the first indigenous priest who gave his life for the faith. The second priest is Fr Thomas Choi Yang-eop and the Vatican is in the process of examining a miracle attributed to his intercession.