Bishops-elect include first Jeju-native bishop and former head of the Korean Prado Priests
Two new bishops: Bishops-elect Job Koo-yobi (third from left) and Pius Moon Chang-woo (second from right) profess their faith and obedience to Pope Francis on July 4 at the Apostolic Nunciature, Korea. (Photo by The Catholic Times of Korea)
By John Choi
The Apostolic Nunciature in Korea has announced the appointments by Pope Francis of Father Pius Moon Chang-woo and Father Job Koo-yobi as coadjutor bishop of Cheju and auxiliary bishop of Seoul respectively.
Coadjutor Bishop-elect Moon was born in the southeastern harbor city of Busan in 1963 and grew up in Jeju (Cheju), a scenic island on the tip of the Korean Peninsula.
Bishop-elect Moon was ordained a priest for Cheju Diocese in 1996 and served there as parish priest, education director and professor at Kwangju Catholic University.
Bishop Peter Kang U-il of Cheju said, "Father Moon will be the first Jeju-native bishop and I hope he can improve relations between the church and local community and bring harmony from among troubles."
Bishop-elect Moon said, "I received this episcopate to enable me to discern God's will. I hope the diocesan faithful pray for and support my role as bishop of Cheju Diocese."
His episcopal ordination will be held at St. Isidore Retreat Center on Aug. 15.
Bishop-elect Koo was born in Gapyeong in Gyeoggi-do province in 1951. Ordained a priest in 1981, he joined the Association of Priests of Prado.
He served as head of the Korean Prado Priests twice and cared for workers as chaplains for the Young Catholic Workers Association and the Catholic Workers' Movement.
Cardinal Andreas Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul said of the bishop-elect, "The pope has sent us a big present to our archdiocese and the Korean Church, a pastor who is dedicated to the flock of Jesus Christ."
Bishop-elect Koo said, "I'll work hard to serve the socially vulnerable, poor and alienated people."
His episcopal ordination is to be held at Myeongdong Cathedral on Aug. 17.
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