Mission life: THE KUKMIN DAILY

WCC General Secretary Olav Fykse Tveit Talks With 4/16 Sewol Families for Truth and a Safer Society

2015-04-09 15:04

Dr. Olav Fykse Tveit, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) (far left in photo), met and talked with the 4/16 Sewol Families for Truth and a Safer Society on April 8 at the Graduate School of Theology of Hanshin University, located on Insubong-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Seoul. During their conversation he pointed out that “Korea’s failure so far to salvage the Sewol ferry indicates a lack of respect for the value of life, especially for the precious lives of children.”

General Secretary Tveit began with words of consolation for the deep scars incurred by the Sewol ferry families. “You are suffering the greatest pain a human being can ever experience,” he said. “It is especially sad that nine persons still have not been found, and that funeral services could not yet be held for them…The world churches will continue to pray for the Sewol families.”

Lee Geum-hui, the mother of missing girl student Jo Eun-hwa, appealed, “The foundation of our society is that everyone can live and be treated like a person…I hope the world churches will add their strength to help us stand and walk again.” General Secretary Tveit promised the Sewol families that he will take supportive action for the salvaging of the sunken ferry and the uncovering of the facts related to the incident.

General Secretary Tveit came to Korea to be conferred with an honorary theological doctorate degree by Hanshin University. During the ceremony, which followed his talk with the families, he spoke again to comfort them, saying, “I pray once again that God’s love and grace will be with the families of all those who survived, died or are missing in the Sewol ferry disaster.”

Article and photo by reporter Jin Samyeol (samuel@kmib.co.kr), with Marion Kim (marionkkim@icloud.com)


Click here for the original article in Korean
Related Article

Popular Articles

Total Mission Kuki
Yoido Full Gospel Church

Banners

2013 WCC Myungsung church