Late Cardinal’s Message Still Alive
By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter
Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan passed away a year ago on Feb. 16 and special performances and exhibitions to commemorate the late leader are being prepared by both Christians and artists.
The most popular, and perhaps the most emotional, event is the photo exhibition run by Pyunghwa Gallery near Myeongdong Catholic Cathedral.
``The Cardinal followed his oath of living for others, and that was what I felt as we prepared this exhibition,'' Kim Won-chol, who is in charge of the exhibition, told The Korea Times.
The exhibition is divided into five sections: ``The Dream and the Calling,'' ``The Church Within the World,'' ``I Wanted to Live with the Poor,'' ``Peace on Earth'' and ``Forever With You.''
``My favorite was the photo he took with his mother when he was a young boy," an elderly woman said as she walked out of the gallery in tears. "It hit me that he was another mother's proud son.''
``The Dream and the Calling'' centers on the Cardinal's younger years, while ``The Church Within the World'' displays photos of him as the head of the Catholic Church, which will move not only Christians, but also non-believers as well. ``I Wanted to Live With the Poor'' shows visitors how the late Cardinal strived to help the less fortunate.
Many visitors paused to take in the photos in this section, as it is arguably what Kim is most remembered for: smiling and lending a helping hand to those in need. ``Peace on Earth'' shows his more religious side, with Kim leading the Church in various local and international events. Finally, ``Forever With You'' features the kind and warm Cardinal in his late years.
``The last photo on the wall where Kim is shown walking through a gate is the finale. It looks like he is walking out from the frame. Many people just stand in front of it for a couple of minutes and stare at it,'' Kim said.
The exhibition will continue in front of Myeongdong Catholic Cathedral through Feb. 28.
Along with the photo exhibition, there will also be a memorial event at Seoul St. Mary's Hospital today at 4 p.m. The hospital has planned various events, including video and photo exhibitions; the Love Tree, where visitors can write letters to the late Cardinal and hang them on a tree; and also a musical performance.
The photos on display show the late Cardinal talking and comforting patients at the hospital, while the videos will offer moments of Kim when he was happy among not only Christians but also the general public.
Through March 4, artist Lee Gwan-young is exhibiting his ``voiceprint'' artworks that were made by using the voice waves of the Late Cardinal. The works include prints, wooden artworks, accessories and even a small cross Lee chose from the voice wave images when the late Cardinal said the word ``love.''
``Words are more than communication tools. I prepared this exhibition to help visitors feel the love Kim strived to keep through their hearts and eyes,'' Lee said.
Lee's ``Love, Love'' exhibition is being held at Angevin Gallery in Samseong-dong, southern Seoul.
The Jeoldusan Martyrs' Museum at Jeoldusan Martyrs' Shrine is also preparing a special exhibition. The museum will feature 140 of Kim's personal items, including his notes, French textbooks he used to learn the language, his ecclesiastical ring and also his Vatican passport. The museum is located in Mapo-gu, northern Seoul and the exhibition will continue through May 23.
Meanwhile, the Catholic University of Korea is opening the Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan Research Center next month. The center will hold seminars to uphold the spirit of truth, love and solicitude Kim pursued, as well as a symposium in October. There will also be a "Pro Bono Cardinal," a special organization where leaders from other religious faiths can join in and participate, and also various welfare programs.
A memorial mass will start at the Myeongdong Catholic Cathedral at 7 p.m. today led by Cardinal Nicholas Chung Jin-suk. The Cardinal will give a sermon, while the church will also present a video of the Cardinal. All of the churches under the Archdiocese of Seoul are planning a memorial mass today for Kim.
Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan was the first South Korean to become a Roman Catholic Cardinal. He passed away on Feb. 16, 2009 at the age of 86.