The Church in South Korea last week called on Catholic lawmakers to let faith guide their political responsibilities, warning that intensifying partisan conflict makes moral clarity and shared conscience more urgent.
Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul delivered the message during a Holy Mass at the chapel inside South Korea’s National Assembly, celebrated for the Catholic Members of the National Assembly Association.
“The greater the confrontation and conflict between ruling and opposition parties, the more necessary it becomes to gather together in faith,” the prelate said in his homily.
He stressed that “politicians and Christians are not separate beings,” adding that “before God’s gaze and their conscience, they must live out their vocation and responsibilities in a manner worthy of a Christian.”
Citing an exhortation by Pope Leo XIV, the archbishop acknowledged the challenges of living out Christian identity in public life, particularly in politics.
“While it is not easy to reveal one’s Christian identity as a public official, courage is needed to say ‘no’ when truth is threatened,” he said.
Addressing Catholic legislators directly, he described them as bearing “the grave mission of integrating their public responsibility as legislators with their responsibility as people of faith.”
He added, “I pray that God may grant them the grace and wisdom befitting such responsibility.”
The archbishop also linked the lawmakers’ moral responsibility to preparations for the World Youth Day scheduled to be held in Seoul in August 2027.
Referring to John 16:33, he noted that “Take courage; I have conquered the world” is the theme scripture of the global gathering.
“It is essential that hundreds of thousands of young people from around the world are able to experience the faith of the Korean Church and the warm hospitality of Korean society,” he said, urging Catholic lawmakers and members of the National Assembly Catholic Employees’ Association, known as the Dasan Society, to offer their “interest, prayers, and cooperation.”
The homily also recalled Korea’s history of persecution, noting that this year marks the 160th anniversary of the Byeong-in Persecution.
“Following the example of the martyrs’ faith and sacrifice, and the beautiful history of those who gave their lives to protect one another, let us also become believers who do not hesitate to offer small acts of service for the Church and our neighbors,” the archbishop said.
At a breakfast gathering after the Mass, Rep. Choi Hyung-doo of the ruling People Power Party said the 2027 World Youth Day would be “a large-scale international event, bringing the largest number of foreign visitors to Korea in a short period in the nation’s history,” adding that “at the level of the National Assembly, we will devote greater effort to providing the necessary support and preparations.”
Opposition lawmaker Rep. Cho Jung-sik also reflected on the homily, saying, “Archbishop Chung’s words in his homily, urging Christian politicians to pursue truth and justice, life and peace, have remained deeply with me.”
He said the National Assembly would “do its utmost to help ensure the successful hosting of the 2027 Seoul World Youth Day.”
Concluding the gathering, Archbishop Chung said, “If Catholic lawmakers steadfastly uphold their Christian identity in their legislative work, both God and the people will recognize it,” calling on participants to work together so that the 2027 gathering “may go beyond a one-time event and become an occasion that ignites new hope and the fire of the Holy Spirit throughout Korean society.”
