Archbishop of Seoul Urges Faithful to Set Aside Pride and Selfishness This Christmas

The archbishop of Seoul, South Korea invited the faithful to set pride and selfishness aside this Christmas season.

In his annual Christmas message, released on December 17, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick, OCD urged everyone to get closer to people who are experiencing pain and loneliness.

“Small acts of kindness every day and the warm heart that embraces another person are the most concrete signs that reveal the mystery of Christmas,” he said.

The prelate stressed that God becoming man is the deepest basis for the dignity of all human beings, but it is being besmirched by pride and selfishness.

“Preparing for Christmas is to lower the pride of our hearts, mend the gap of division and disconnection, and transform our hearts for one another into a shalom of peace,” he said. “The world is swayed by the logic of competition and power, but the Lord shows us that the way of sharing and serving will bloom human dignity.”

With the conclusion of the Jubilee Year of Hope this December, Archbishop Chung encourages everyone to continue living out the spirit of pilgrimage and synodality even beyond 2025.

“Just as the Wise Men responded to the call of the starlight and searched for the Baby Jesus, we too should continue the journey of hope with a small light of love despite the darkest of this age,” he said.

He also called the faithful to emulate the humility and obedience of the Virgin Mary, who joyfully responded to God’s call for her to become the Mother of God.

“I pray that new hope and peace will remain deep in your lives. May the grace of Christmas fall first and then in its fullest, especially in the most remote and dark places,” Archbishop Chung said in closing.