Letter of Condolence - Philip Potter
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea grieves the loss of a great Christian ecumenical leader, the Rev. Dr. Philip Potter, who went home to be with God on March 31, at the wonderful age of 93. We honour this man who gave himself so wholly to the global ecumenical movement, from his days as part of the student Christian movement in the Caribbean, to the years as General Secretary of the WCC from 1972 to 1984.
These were the days many countries in the world were struggling for unity, justice and peace. They were significant years for the democracy movement in Korea. 1972 was the year of the implementation of the Yusin Constitution by President Park Chung-Hee, which solidified his dictatorship. He was assassinated in 1979, and his position was taken over by a coup d’etat by Major General Chun Doo-Hwan. This affront to the people led to uprising in Korea, which was put down brutally, especially in the city of Gwangju, which resulted in the massacre of May 18, and the dissolution of the National Assembly of the country. The 1980’s were a time of growing rising against the dictatorship of the Republic of Korea, and in 1987 the Democracy Movement came to a head, resulting in the reform of the government.
Through these years, Korea relied on the strong support that came from the World Council of Churches, for our struggle for democratization, and also for its support toward reunification of the Korean Peninsula. The Tozanso Process was initiated by the WCC in 1984, the first opportunity for a coming together of Christians from the North and the South of Korea since the end of the Korean War in 1953. We know that the leadership of Rev. Dr. Potter was most instrumental in the WCC support of those years, and we honour his vision of God’s justice in the world.
Rev. Potter also was instrumental in the days of the strong campaign against apartheid in South Africa, which certainly changed the world’s understanding of race and Christian responsibility to anti-discrimination in the courts of the church.
The death of Rev. Potter is a loss for the world, but certainly his vision will live on and shape the ecumenical future of our church and all the churches of the world. We honour this man who now enters the joy of his Lord. He has been for us like the mustard seed (Luke 13:19) which grew and became a tree, and was a shelter for all.
May God bless his memory, and comfort all of his friends and family in their time of grief.
Rev. Hwang Young Dae Rev. Bae Tae Jin
Moderator General Secretary
The Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea
[이 게시물은 관리자님에 의해 2016-11-03 21:39:53 총무 칼럼에서 이동 됨]
