By Paul Hwang, Seoul
Religious leaders in Korea’s Gangwon-do province have come together to form a new initiative to promote social integration and peace between religions.
Representatives of Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Won-Buddhist and indigenous religions announced the formation of the Gangwon Council of Religious Leaders, at Woljeongsa Buddhist temple on Aug. 6.
One of the council’s main aims is to play a leading role in Korean reunification. This is of particular local relevance, as Gangwon-do is the only province on the Korean peninsula that is split by the North-South demarcation line.
Among the participants at the Aug. 6 event were Bishop Lucas Kim Woon-hoe of Chunchon diocese and Venerable Jeongnyum, master monk of the Woljeongsa temple, who was elected council chairman.
The religious leaders issued a statement saying: “We as religious leaders must promote a moral culture for the inhabitants in Gangwon-do province and work for a peaceful world. To be a mature society and people, religious discrimination and favoritism must end. All religions should respect each other as an example which can lead to more unity of public opinion and social integration.”
In a separate statement, the leaders pledged to help the province in its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The province was unsuccessful in bids for the 2010 and 2014 events.
(Published in UCAN News, August 10)
Religious leaders in Korea’s Gangwon-do province have come together to form a new initiative to promote social integration and peace between religions.
Representatives of Buddhist, Catholic, Protestant, Won-Buddhist and indigenous religions announced the formation of the Gangwon Council of Religious Leaders, at Woljeongsa Buddhist temple on Aug. 6.
One of the council’s main aims is to play a leading role in Korean reunification. This is of particular local relevance, as Gangwon-do is the only province on the Korean peninsula that is split by the North-South demarcation line.
Among the participants at the Aug. 6 event were Bishop Lucas Kim Woon-hoe of Chunchon diocese and Venerable Jeongnyum, master monk of the Woljeongsa temple, who was elected council chairman.
The religious leaders issued a statement saying: “We as religious leaders must promote a moral culture for the inhabitants in Gangwon-do province and work for a peaceful world. To be a mature society and people, religious discrimination and favoritism must end. All religions should respect each other as an example which can lead to more unity of public opinion and social integration.”
In a separate statement, the leaders pledged to help the province in its bid to host the 2018 Winter Olympics. The province was unsuccessful in bids for the 2010 and 2014 events.
(Published in UCAN News, August 10)
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