‘The Position of Archdiocese of Kwangju

in relation to the Matter of Julia Youn of Naju and its related Phenomena’ (2)

Whoever teaches something different and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the religious teaching is conceited, understanding nothing, and has a morbid disposition for arguments and verbal disputes. From these come envy, rivalry, insults, evil suspicions, and mutual friction among people with corrupted minds, who are deprived of the truth, supposing religion to be a means of gain(1Tim 6:3-5). 

On November 19, 2007, the Archdiocese of Kwangju issued a first Position entitled: “The Position of the Archdiocese of Kwangju in relation to the Matter of Julia Youn of Naju and its related Phenomena.” And today the Archdiocese issues a second position concerning the events in Naju. The reason for issuing this second publication is that since the first Position and the previous Diocesan Decree to Julia of Naju and her followers on January 21, 2008 1) they have not changed their attitude and 2) have diffused distorted facts and heretical teachings and 3) have stirred unfounded hope through the Internet and their own meetings.

The following facts were circulated or published:

1. During the Korean Bishops visit “Ad Limina,” from November 26 to December 3, 2007, 000 the Apostolic Prefect gave the Korean bishops strong advice concerning Julia Youn of Naju and the related phenomenon, namely that she and the phenomenon surrounding her should be respected.  

2. 000 the Apostolic Prefect got wind that the Spring Conference of Catholic Bishops’Conference of Korea (February 25-28, 2008) was going to ratify the Decree issued by the Archbishop of Kwangju(Jan. 21, 2008), and sent a letter to the president in order to prevent this project.  

3. 000 the Apostolic Prefect on April 2008 asked “the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith”to investigate officially Julia Youn of Naju and the related phenomenon and that it publish its results. So the investigation is ongoing.

The Archdiocese of Kwangju has not responded to the diffusion of distorted facts by “Julia Youn and her followers.” We did not react because we judge that it is meaningless to react to every single one of their assertions and that it is a sensitive matter to release documents to and from the Apostolic See and between the Korean Church and Archdiocese of Kwangju. At this point, we judge that these distorted facts will not further be expanded and that false expectations will no longer be stirred up. We only wish to clarify, therefore, the positions of Apostolic See and the Archdiocese of Kwangju concerning this situation.

1. Follows a letter from the Prefect of the “Evangelization of the Peoples” to the president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea(Feb. 23, 2008).

Document NO. 1041/08

Following the letter sent by his Excellency on February 16, 2008, document No. 943/08, concerning the very sensitive and serious situation in Naju and Archbishop Choi Chang Moo’s(Archbishop of Kwangju) forthright decree of excommunication of Fr. Chang Hong Bin Aloysius on January 21 2008, attending to the whole of Naju Problem, the Commission for the Doctrine of the Faith quickly responds. Thank you for informing us of the recent developments in the Naju situation.

At the Spring Conference of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea(Feb. 25-28, 2008), the following decision was taken concerning the case of Julia Youn of Naju.

So that everyone can become familiar with the problem concerning Julia Youn of Naju and so that all the faithful can understand clearly the Decree of the Archbishop of Kwangju, each Bishop in his diocese will publish the Kwangju Decree in its entirety.

(cf. the report by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea)

A letter on April 24, 2008, from the secretary of “the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith” to the Archbishop of Kwangju 

Document NO. 112/1993-27066

Your Grace,

The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in a separate letter, has written to Your Grace to inform you of recourse taken against our Decree of 21 January 2008 by Rev. Aloysius Hong-Bin Chang. With this correspondence the Dicastery wishes to express to you our understanding of the difficult pastoral situation which you deal with in the activity promoted at Naju by Julia Kim, the purported visionary, and her followers.

When your predecessor, His Grace, Victorinus Youn Kong-hi published his conclusion "non constat de supernaturalitate" concerning the events occurring at Naju(1 January 1998) he did so after consultation with this Congregation. Such consultation would be appropriate since matters of this kind are of the exclusive competence of this Dicastery. The Congregation continues to accept the decision given by Archbishop Youn, and reiterated by Your Grace in your statements on the matter, as the official position of the Church.

I take this opportunity to renew my sentiments of esteem, and with every prayerful best wish, I am  

Following the publishing of the Second Position, where the Archdiocese of Kwangju once again sternly admonishes “Julia Youn of Naju and her followers,” I urge you not to mention again or try to scar the ties between the Vatican, Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea and the Archdiocese of Kwangju. Do not try to destabilize the good faith of the faithful and stir up false expectations among the faithful. I really hope that you will obey in faith the Archbishop’s pastoral admonition and comeback to the correct and balanced life of faith as soon as possible.

Proclaim the word; be persistent whether it is convenient or inconvenient; convince, reprimand, encourage through all patience and teaching. For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine but, following their own desires and insatiable curiosity, will accumulate teachers and will stop listening to the truth and will be diverted to myths. But you, be self-possessed in all circumstances; put up with hardship; perform the work of an evangelist; fulfill your ministry(2Tim 4,2-5).

February 24, 2009

Archdiocese of Kwangju