Pope Francis, “Actively strive for peace.”

Pope Francis visited South Korea last week. He is evaluated as the most charming Pope of all time because he is always humble. Generally, new popes name after the Saints designated by the Catholic Church according to its custom. However, nobody had chosen the name, ‘Francis’ so far. Why did he choose ‘Francis’?


Who is Saint Francis of Assisi?

Francis was born rich in Assisi, Italy about 800 years ago. He used to lead a life of debauchery when he was young. One day, he found enlightenment and he let all things he had go. Then, he turned his back on the world falling into poverty by himself and has looked after people who are sick and weak. After he died, he was venerated as a saint by Anglican Church as well as Catholic Church. Francis’ spirit has inspired the Pope Francis so that the Pope lives an upright life according to his principle and is devoted himself to working for the poor and alienated people.



The Pope Francis realized that every human being has human dignity in everywhere each person is, such as in a family, a church or a society. So, he has tried to make a world filled with hope through unity and harmony. Such his move seems to be influenced by his experience that he had worked in a chemical factory in his childhood. After he grew up, he has helped the people who suffer from military dictatorship, poverty, drug and violence in his motherland, Argentina. Because he practices what he preaches, his actions arouse respect from many people.

Before his visit to South Korea, the Pope Francis revealed top 10 secrets to happiness and it is gaining much popularity with many people. What we sympathize the most is the 10th tip.

“10. Actively strive for peace.” Peace cannot be achieved when we just stay silent doing nothing, but it can be achieved when we lead the world to peace. We in a state of truce need to make our voices for peace. When he was leading a church, cruel wars had happened by a military dictatorial government. He has been trying in a nonviolent way to reduce the sacrifice saying, “The cost of violence is always paid by the weakest people.”

Like what he said, wars are still happening all around the world. The damage of children who are still being attacked from Gaza accounts for 1/3 of all. Wars make many guiltless people as well as children sacrificed. This is the problem that we must solve on an international scale. So, we need to work solving the problem.


Some Korean Catholic priests who went abroad to study in Vatican puts meanings that the Pope’s visit is for seeking Vatican’s role to alleviate the tension and to establish peace on the Korean Peninsula. No matter what his purpose to visit Korea is, I really want everyone to become one and make a voice for peace. So, I hope all of us try and work for it.
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If we don’t work for peace, peace can never be achieved. Just as the Pope Francis acts up to his word, let us be the ones who work for peace. Therefore, I hope we can put an end to wars and live in a peaceful world happily as soon as possible.

“Peace is our common objective” said Mr. Man Hee Lee

These days there are some horrific events in vast areas of the globe. No one can know when wars will happen and when people will face their own death due to the severe diseases. There is no safe place, and a series of horrific accidents and incidents have continued throughout the years.

I searched news on the Internet with a great hope to hear some peaceful news instead of the series of bad news. And I found news about Mr. Man H. Lee, the Chairman of Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL), who is never contrary to my expectations. Today, I’m going to introduce his quotes about peace.

 

 

 

On 2nd July, there was a peace conference at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. It was hosted by IPCGE (Inter-Parliamentary Coalition for Global Ethics). Many international leaders from all over the world were attended, including Mr. Man H. Lee, the former president of Rumania, the former UN Secretary General, religious leaders and congressmen around the world. And Mr. Lee delivered the keynote address. What do you think about what he said at that moment? He put emphasis on the legislation of law regarding world peace, and the role of religious leaders as a guide for peaceful culture, and especially the creation of peaceful culture with regard to 11 UN resolutions.

 

After this conference, he again became the keynote speaker at the symposium which was co-hosted by Montenegro and ICD (Institute for Cultural Diplomacy) on 9th July. “Almost all of the disputes and conflicts over the world have taken place because of the difference of ideologies, religions, and cultures. To relieve this issue the whole world must have a common objective to peace and become one so that a peaceful culture can be settled on this earth.” said Mr. Lee.

 

The audiences were responding very positively on his speech. In addition, the ICD representative and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Montenegro delivered letter of appreciation to Mr. Lee (the chairman of HWPL) and Mrs. Nam Hee Kim (Chairwoman of IWPG). And many international leaders from secular and religious sectors also signed the peace agreement. I think interest in peace cuts across the lines of boundary and religion. 

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At a press interview which was held right after their return he said, “We should solve the fundamental matters of the various problems in the world.” And “First, all presidents around the world should enact a clause for the cessation of wars and world peace in the international law. Second, the religious world, which is the main cause of major disputes, must be united.”

 

 

Do you know the fact that 80 percent of the world’s population is the religious people? I had seen and heard about many people who determined to be a non-believer because many believers cause wars habitually and seek their own interests. Ironically, believers keep people who are trying to be on God’s side from pursuing their belief. There is no religion in the world which desires disputes and deaths. That’s not the will of God. If God’s will is peace and life, I think Mr. Lee is the right person who is working in accordance with God’s will. As a person who is waiting for the peaceful world, I appreciate his movements for world peace and I look forward to his next peace activities.

Awards from Many Countries to Mr. Man Hee Lee, the Peace Advocate

Awards from Many Countries to Mr. Man Hee Lee, the Peace Advocate

     "Peace" is a word that makes our hearts warm. That is why I like the word "peace", and I am reading a lot of books about that topic. But peace is such an abstract concept that we often don't know how to achieve it, although we hope there will be peace in this world.

Recently, I learned from an internet news that there is someone who has a secret material to achieve peace in this world. The article was about the president of Heavenly Culture, world Peace, Restoration of Light, Mr. Man-hee Lee, who enthusiastically travels around the world to bring peace to this world.

     He put an end to the religious war in Mindanao, Philippines between Islam and Catholic that they had killed each other for 40 years. Being just a representative of an organization, he persuaded them to sign for the peace agreement between them. Moreover, the government of Guatemala gave him a note of appreciation and an opportunity to put a rose on the sculpture of Palm of Peace.

     It was kind of surprising because he was just a man who is in charge of a group and he doesn’t look so young. It could not be easy to travel in his age. He looked like he has to do this task and have so much confident about this.

Before I could express my feeling of wonder, I got heard another news regarding him which is visiting Veracruz in Mexico. He awarded the note of appreciation and a medal from the government of Veracruz.

     Mexico is located next to the United States and well known for its beautiful landscapes and rich culture. That’s why I thought it could be a wonderful place to live. However, it was not as safe as I thought. There are problems of public security, drugs, traffic jam, and even the earthquakes. Looks like it’s too much far from peace.

     Even though Mexico may seem a place where peace is nowhere to be found, however, peace is starting to become a reality in small corners. The Peace Seminar and Ceremony of Peace Agreement held in Mexico, and the note of appreciation given to Mr. Man Hee Lee are the proof.

     On 20th of last month, at 3 p.m. Mr. Man Hee Lee, the president of Heavenly Culture and World Peace and Restoration of Light, was given a note of appreciation and a medal by Mayor of Veracruz. Many politicians, high ranking officials, and religious leaders attended the awarding ceremony and gave Mr. Lee an enormous applauds.

     As he was awarding Mr. Lee, the mayor of Veracruz thanked Mr. Lee for his efforts said that they saw a light of hope for peace. Religious leaders also said that his message of peace gave great hope to Veracruz and Mexico suffering from prevalence of crime. What they felt when they listened to Mr. Lee's message of peace must be same as my aspiration for hope.

     The news of peace must have been like the soft rain and wind in a hot summer as they have been thirsty for peace. It is said that Mr. Lee decided to visit Mexico after he met a Mexican Pastor in Uruguay this March. The Peace Walk held in Tijuana, Mexico by Mr. Lee and Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light is the reason he decided to do so. The Peace Walk was a big event that brought a lot of youths and citizens together, so Mexican people would have wanted to feel that joy again.

     Of course, Mr. Lee's message of peace wouldn't have touched the hearts of the world from the beginning. But he persistently kept on with his efforts for peace so the world started to remember and cheer for him. Now, as his message rekindles people's desire for hope, it is creating a boom all around the world. Just like Mr. Lee's words that this kind of work of peace cannot be done by men, it seems like the God in heaven is with him to achieve world peace.

     Many leaders in the world work hard for world peace but there are still more wars than peace. For myself, Mr. Lee showed that there is hope of accomplishing peace on this world and he is the first one to do so. I anticipate eagerly to see his next move for peace, and to hear what inspiring message he will give.