RECONCILIATION   REUNIFICATION

Message by Victor Petluchenko Vice-Chairman
Department for External Church Relations Moscow Patriarchate

Dear brothers and sisters, esteemed participants of the International Consultation for Solidarity and Peace in North-Eastern Asia!

For already a number of years the Russian Orthodox Church has been supporting and participating in ecumenical efforts aimed at promoting peaceful and unifying processes on the Korean Peninsula. The tragedy of a divided nation cannot fail to evoke sympathy. Ruined families, divided economical, cultural and religious areas - are the pernicious consequences of the violent political processes which led to a long war, and then to the extreme ideological alienation of the two states, heated up from both sides of the demarcation line and , unfortunately, during a number of years nourished by external forces, including the former leadership of my own country.

Today, the alienation is hopefully beginning to be understood by all Korean people as a tragedy, which requires gradual detailed cure. This will be impossible without mutual repentance and mutual forgiveness, without the restoration of lost links between the two parts of the Korean people, or without the elimination of political obstacles, artificially placed in the way of the unifying processes. We think that the whole international community should make their contribution to the unifying process in Korea, especially for states, historically linked with the conflicts and opposition on the peninsula, namely, China, Russia, USA and Japan.

Christian communities should specifically increase their assistance to the cause of peace and unity in Korea, as division is always evil and unification is always good. In one of the ancient liturgical texts of the Orthodox Church it is said that Christ come to this world to "unite the divided". Serving the unity of the Church, the people, all the human family is for a Christian the continuation of the cause of our Lord and Savior, Who by His sacrifice and His teaching opened for humans the way to reconciliation with God and each other, not only to restore the internal integrity of human nature, but also to overcome the sinful divisions, which the Fall introduced into human relations.

This is why the Christian contribution to the cause of reunification of the Korean people seems especially important now, when understanding of the necessity of unity has become a real factor in politics and public opinion. It is rejoicing to see that the National Council of Churches of Korea and the Korean Christians Federation are aiming their efforts at activating these processes, especially in the past jubilee year. Thanks to God, it was the followers of Christ, striving to reunify the spiritual ties of their people and restore the united community of their brothers and sisters in faith, who were one of the first to establish direct and fruitful contacts between the two parts of the divided nation. It is well-known that under conditions of continuing political tension this required and still requires great courage. This makes our toil, dear brothers and sisters, a feat in the eyes of God.

It is satisfying to see that the World Council of Churches, National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA, National Christian Council of Japan and other international Christian organisations have been promoting contacts between Christians of North and South Korea for many years already. The participation of the followers of Christ from different countries in the common cause of establishing concord and unity on Korean soil testifies to the fact that we are filled by the spirit of genuine fraternal mutual assistance and this spirit manifests itself in efficient love.

Efforts in the restoration of unity of the Korean people become especially urgent in the light of the economic difficulties arising on the peninsula. Christian solidarity, which can in many ways help overcome the consequences of these hardships, can also become one of the bridges, connecting the divided people, helping them forgive each other, and restore mutual communion. This is why it seems of no little importance that it be these bridges of mutual assistance, that became one of the practical results of joint activities of Christians from the North and South.

May God bless this present gathering with success and assist Christians from North and South Korea in restoring " the unity of Spirit in the bond of peace" (Eph.4:3). May He inspire the whole Korean people in achieving concord, mutual understanding and genuine national brotherhood.