Message from the Archbishop of Canterbury

Commendation
of a project for
Anglican Cooperation in the
Peaceful Reunification of the Korean Peninsula

I offer my full support to the plans of the Anglican Church of Korea for bringing together a group of Christians, including Anglican Primates from around the world and in cooperation with the Christian Councils of North and South Korea, to work for a full and lasting peace in North East Asia.  A key element in their vision is the Peace Conference that will take place in November 2007, including a visit to the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and a consultation held in the Republic of Korea.  The Conference aims to further develop the mutual understanding necessary for successful peacemaking efforts and the church¡¯s role in them.  Your collaboration with and participation in the Conference would give you a stake in this initiative, which builds on the longstanding interest of the Anglican Communion in the region.  

"Blessed are the peacemakers: they shall be called children of God."

Signed +Rowan Cantuar: Archbishop of Canterbury Pentecost 2007

Greetings from the Most Reverend Francis Park,

Welcome Message

The Peace of the Lord be with you.

Our Saviour Jesus Christ said: “Peace I leave you; my peace I give you. I do not give you peace as the world gives it.”(John 14:27) As servant members of the body of Christ we are called to be apostles of peace in a world where discord and conflict are prevalent. I pray that all those workers who are their efforts on behalf of the peace of Christ will be filled with the grace of God.

Following on the resolution of the 13th general meeting of the Anglican Consultative Council (ACC), the Anglican Church of Korea is hosting “the Worldwide Anglican Peace Conference, Seoul 2007.” From Wednesday November 14th to Wednesday November 21st the participants will have the opportunity to spend eight days continuously focused on the issues on the spot and I believe they will be able to feel and observe and experience the trauma of the conflict. Further as peace is realized in this land and as hurts are healed, Christians can tackle with the question of their roles in the Korean peace process.

Unlike previous years, this year is successful resolution of the North Korea nuclear issue and the dialogue between North Korea and the United State of America as well as the exchanges between North and South Korea leave us staring in amazement at the changes taking place. This peace conference has afforded a timely opportunity for our Anglican brothers and sisters from abroad as well the Korean Church to be present together at this time of change. I believe this time is not only crucial for the peace of the Korean peninsula but has become a watershed in the formation of a new missionary vision for the Anglican Church of Korea.

In the name of our Lord, I welcome all the participants to this conference.

I pray that we may all be one by the grace of God.

The Most Rev’d Francis Kyong-Jo Park

Primate of the Anglican Church of Koreal