Pope Francis offered his “heartfelt condolences” for the death of Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul, who passed away on April 27th, commending “his noble soul to the compassionate love of Christ the Good Shepherd.”
To all who mourn the late Cardinal’s passing in the sure hope of the Resurrection I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.”
The Holy Father expressed thanksgiving for Cardinal Jinsuk’s many years of service to the Church in Korea and to the Holy See, and offering his prayers to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the archdiocese.
Here is the full Vatican-provided telegram published today, April 29, which was sent to the city’s current archbishop, Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung:
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His Eminence Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung
Archbishop of Seoul
I was saddened to learn of the death of Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop Emeritus of Seoul, and I offer to you and to the clergy, religious and lay faithful of the Archdiocese my heartfelt condolences and the assurance of my prayers. United with you in thanksgiving for Cardinal Jinsuk’s many years of service to the Church in Korea and to the Holy See, I join all assembled for the solemn funeral Mass in commending his noble soul to the compassionate love of Christ the Good Shepherd. To all who mourn the late Cardinal’s passing in the sure hope of the Resurrection I cordially impart my Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of consolation and peace in the Risen Lord.
FRANCISCUS PP.
[Original text: English]
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Here is the Vatican-provided biography of the Asian Cardinal:
Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk, Archbishop emeritus of Seoul (Korea), was born on 7 December 1931 in Supyo Dong, South Korea. He was ordained a priest on 18 March 1961.
Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk served as parochial cooperator and as teacher and vice-president of Song Shin High School. He was appointed secretary to the Archbishop of Seoul and chancellor, and was very involved in many activities at the archdiocesan level.
After having obtained a degree in canon law from the Pontifical Urban University, he returned to Korea and on 25 June 1970 he was nominated Bishop of Cheongju and received episcopal ordination on 3 October of the same year.
From 1975 until 1999 he was member of the executive committee of the Korean Bishops’ Conference and from 1983 until 2006 he was president of the Committee for Canonical Affairs.
From 1996 until 1999 he was president of the Korean Bishop’s Conference.
Ever since his ordination to the priesthood, Cardinal Cheong Jinsuk has always sought to increase the number of Korean Catholic faithful, who are a minority of the population. His aim is to reach 20 percent by 2020.
On 3 April 1998 he was appointed Archbishop of Seoul and on 6 June of the same year Apostolic Administrator of the diocese of P’yŏng-yang.
Has taken part in the Special Assembly for Asia of the Synod of Bishops, 1998.
Has taken part also in the Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organizational and Economic Affairs of the Holy See.
Archbishop emeritus of Seoul from 10 May 2012.
Created and proclaimed cardinal by Benedict XVI in the consistory of 24 March 2006, of the Title of Santa Maria Immacolata di Lourdes a Boccea (Mary Immaculate of Lourdes at Boccea).
Cardinal Nicholas Cheong Jinsuk died on 27 April 2021.
