At the end of the 2001 Autumn General Assembly held from October 15 to 18, the Bishops of Korea issued the following statement concerning the recent tragic terrorist attacks in New York and Washington and the retaliation of the U.S.A.

  We Pray for Peace and Reconciliation of Humanity

  We, Bishops of Korea, have expressed heartfelt condolence over the tragic terrorist attacks in New York and Washington on September 11 which claimed thousands of precious lives. All kinds of terrorism sacrificing lives of innocent people has to be condemned. Desire to realize one's political intention and ambition at the cost of human lives is a brutal crime against the universal value of the humanity.
  We are also deeply concerned about the retaliatory attack of the U.S.A. against Afghanistan that seems to expand with international support. Violence begets another violence. We cannot establish peace by violence. Thus, we cannot tolerate the brutality and violence of the terrorism under any circumstances and reasons. Violence and retaliation of the war and terrorism will only destroy the human society. We have to make efforts so that the genuine peace of humanity can be stabilized through reconciliation and forgiveness rather than retaliation and punishment.
  We wish that the international communities would show positive concern for protection of thousands of Afghanistan refugees. Our government's participation to the U.S.A.-led operation to punish the terrorists should be done in the perspective of humanitarian assistance to refugees. We want to share sufferings of victims and their family of this tragic terrorist attack and those refugees who had to leave their homeland because of the retaliatory attacks and other many innocent victims. We wish to see a day that all humanity lives in peaceful coexistence liberated from hatred and hostility.
  In union with His Holiness Pope John Paul II we, the Christian Faithful, pray the merciful God Father for true peace and reconciliation of all the people. At the same time we implore all the people of good will pursuing the way of justice and peace to have perseverance and persistence.
  Let us make efforts with all the people who believe in the Only One God to promote the civilization of love in the world in forgiveness and reconciliation.

                                         October 18, 2001
                                         Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK)