The Archdiocese of Seoul has launched an appeal to the faithful to join the special fund, created in the Vatican, to give the anti-Covid-19 vaccine to people who live in poor countries or who have inadequate access to vaccines for COVID-19. In Korea, the campaign is open to everyone and will last until November 27, the last day of the Jubilee underway for the 200th anniversary of the birth of St. Andrew Kim Tae-gon, the first Korean Catholic priest. As reported to Fides by the Communications Office of the Archdiocese of Seoul, in the Easter homily, Cardinal Yeom recalled the “Urbi et Orbi” message of Pope Francis, recalling that “the Pope has repeatedly requested the universal access to vaccines in the event of a pandemic. He has urged the entire international community, in a spirit of global responsibility, to commit to overcome the delays in the distribution of vaccines and to facilitate their distribution, especially in the poorest countries”. “In solidarity with the Pope’s exhortation – the Cardinal announced – the Bishops’ Conference of Korea (CBCK), in its March assembly, decided to launch a vaccine distribution campaign, in support of the anti- Covid vaccine distribution program, in particular to the poor countries of the world”.

The Cardinal also added: “We are living difficult times caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The economic and social crisis remains serious, especially for those living in poverty. Since the weak and the poor suffer most when a crisis arrives, we would like to transform this crisis into an opportunity to show our solidarity to parishes, organizations, congregations around the world, offering help to those in need”.

To support and disseminate the campaign in the Korean nation, the “Catholic Peace Apostolate Council” of Seoul and the “Catholic Peace Broadcasting Corporation” (CBCP) will jointly manage a campaign of fundraising by phone, as well as producing an advertisement and music video to be broadcast in the Catholic media to inform and inspire people across the country to participate in the vaccine donation campaign.