Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Headache for the Archbishop of Kwangju

We hear again about the events in  Naju Korea. The Catholic Times featured the story on the front page, including the official announcement concerning Naju by the archbishop of Kwangju.Those who are followers of this private revelation to Julia Kim are publicizing it as having the approval of the Vatican and they list the names of those who have given credibility to the events of Naju. The three ordinaries of the archdiocese have made it clear where they stand, but this has not received  credibility among the Catholics because those in Naju are saying that John Paul II  and Benedict, along with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, have looked favorably on the miracles. 

The followers of Naju are saying the beatification of John Paul II is "an implicit and certain confirmation of the Holy See's positive stance." 

In the official announcement in response to the events in Naju, the archbishop's statement makes clear there has been no change in the way the archdiocese looks upon the events. The supporters have spread their rumors throughout the country and the archbishop feels that another official statement is warranted.

The news that the Vatican is positive on the events at Naju is upsetting the Catholic faithful.The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has accepted the decision of the two previous ordinaries and the present ordinary. The present archbishop of Kwangju, on his visit to the Congregation in July of last year, was informed that nothing has changed. In conclusion, the archbishop  says that he has been in communication with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and is notifying all the Catholics of this fact.

The problem arises because of the publicity that events in Naju is getting on the internet. Many in Rome have been quoted as being favorable to Naju and this is  continually  being  emphasized.This has  made  the position of the ordinaries awkward when the promoters of Naju continue to use the words of the Popes in favor of the events.

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has given permission for the official  proclamation of the archbishop of Kwangju. The Congregation said, "That what the supporters of Julia have sent to the Congregation concerning the miracles of Naju bear little resemblance to Christlike spirituality. And, concerning the miracles of Naju, the Congregation is not thinking of changing its stance, which makes their position no different than that of the archbishop's. Hopefully, this will see the end of the dispute. Check the previous blog for reasons why the problem continues to annoy the Korean Church.