Family of Late Tark Myeong-hwan: “No Political Abuse on Dismissing Heresy Charges.”
2014-02-12 17:49
The family of the late Tark Myeong-hwan, formerly director of the International Research Institute on Religious Problems, at the 20th anniversary memorial of his death on February 10, demanded a sincere apology from “senior pastor Park Yun-shik of Pyeonggang Jeil Church, who pressed the murderer of Director Tark, ‘Even you, with Air Corps training, can’t catch Satan!’ which makes him morally responsible, but he hasn’t said a word up to now.”
On this day, late Director Tark’s wife Kim Chun-shim, their three sons?Busan Jangshin University Professor Tark Ji-il, "Contemporary Religion" publisher Tark Ji-weon, and Priest of the Tokyo Diocese of the Japan Anglican Church Tark Ji-ung?and others announced a statement, “Position of the Bereaved Family,” in which they said, “Within the Korean church there are some morally lightweight merchants of religion who, behind the public mandate of ‘dealing with heresy,’ are moving to misuse the heresy issue in order to expand their political influence.” They pointed out that “these persons, while maintaining inappropriate relations with heretical groups, are busy declaring they will solve the heresy problem.” They said, “The Christian Council of Korea (CCK), with regard to Mr. Park, who has still not been cleared of suspicion in relation to the murder of Director Tark, is forcibly dismissing heresy charges without agreement from the related denominations, which gives heartache to our grieving family.” They emphasized, “What is clear is that the incident of Director Tark’s murder has still not been investigated fully, and there is no statue of limitations before God.”
“Although Mr. Park was legally acquitted, and although he had the heresy charge dismissed by the CCK, which has now lost its representative capacity and public credibility, when we remember the fact that it was Mr. Park’s driver, Mr. Im, who was found guilty of murder and served 15 years in prison, then we cannot say Park has no moral responsibility,” the family said. “Even after this long time, Mr. Park should apologize sincerely and take the first step for dismissal of the heresy charge, avoiding shame, by dealing with the question through reconciliation with the various denominations affected.”
The Revs. Choi Sam-gyeong, Lee Deok-sung and Lee Young-ho; Prof. Jeong Dong-seop, Director Shin Hyeon-uk and other participants in the memorial event who are involved in ministry related to the heresy problem, said, “Director Tark lived as a pioneering leader dealing with heretical groups,” and emphasized, “It is high time for the Korean church to show deep concern and to act in solidarity on this problem.”
Reporter Paek Sang-hyun (100sh@kmib.co.kr), Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)
Click here for the original article in Korean
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