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The CPAJ (Catholic
Priests' Association for Justice) has actively participated in the political
affairs since Roh Administration. Rev. Song, Gi-in, godfather of Korea's
Liberation Theology and close friend of President Roh took the office of
Chairman of Committee for Past History. This position allows any one who takes
the office to secular power, which is in violation of Code of Canon Law 285
③.
The political priests claimed that North Korean agent Kim Hyun-hee
is sham and fabricated by the military authoritarian government in 2003 during
the Roh Administration. This was absolutely false and even after Kim was
identified as genuine agent, they persistently kept their assertion as they
stage hunger-strike.
When President Lee, Myung-bak was in office, CPAJ
priests opposed vehemently against Government projects including Four Major
Rivers Project and Cheju Naval Base construction. They performed anti-government
struggle through 'street masses for current situation' or homilies on the
pulpit. In 2010, Most Rev. Kang, U-il, Chairman of the CBCK(Catholic Bishops'
Conference of Korea) announced that Korean church decided to oppose against the
Four Major Rivers Project.('the Project') But the agenda was not officially
listed on CBCK's meeting and it only passed a Sub-committee for Environment.
Therefore, it obviously violated the Code of Canon Law 455 ④.
When
Nicholas Cardinal Cheong said that the CBCK is not necessarily against the
Project in December 2010, CPAJ priests, the militant anti-government faction,
protested severely against the Cardinal and committed an unethical deed as they
call for Cardinal's resignation. In May, 2012, before the National Assembly
election, CPAJ priests and Committee for Justice and Peace of CBCK formed
'Catholic Solidarity' and held a rally to urge to stop the Project. In March,
2012, the Election Management Committee ruled any meeting which is against or
for the Project as illegal, because one may influence on the result of the
election. They also opposed against the construction of Cheju Naval Base and
Korea-US FDA conclusion. Regarding all these issues, CPAJ priests were exactly
on the same path with the Democratic Party.
In August, 2013,
Rev. Ham, Se-ung, the most vehement hard-liner in CPAJ visited Mr. Kim, Han-gil,
chairman of Democratic Party, at his tent for outside struggle. He encouraged
Mr. Kim for his outside struggle and said the Presidential election is
originally invalid as National Intelligence Service of Korea intervened in the
election. During the campaign period of 100 days, some officials of the
intelligence institution put comments on internet articles. But, common citizens
do not believe that about one hundred and some comments reversed the result of
the Presidential election. At last, Rev. Park, Chang-shin of Jeonju diocese
called for the resignation of President Park in an address of mass which was
held at Susongdong church on November 22nd. He also justified the bombing of
North Korea on Yeonpyeong Island three years ago and denied the possibility of
Cheonan Ship's wreckage by North Korea. His remarks caused indignation of the
nation and brought about furious protests from the faithful and common citizens
alike.
In this situation, the Democratic Party is showing the middle
of the road attitude regarding Rev. Park's remarks, thus losing confidence and
trust among the nation. Why are they unable to say straight words about evil
behaviors of pro-Norht Korea priests? The answer is that the Democratic Party
itself may be the host body of the CPAJ priests.
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