They were fatigued. It wasn’t as if it had just been a day or two. For close to two months they stood on the asphalt every night and earnestly shouted out their appeal. They never thought the president would ignore this appeal. However, there was no sound in response. They were saddened. They appealed on behalf of the health of our children and our society, and they appealed for the nation’s pride. What they heard in response were suspicions they were being manipulated from behind the scenes and threats from police authorities.

They were lonely. Looking around, all you saw were riot police shields and old establishment media distortions and red-baiting by megachurches and abusive language coming from ultra-right groups. If they used physical force it was because they were trying to break through the walls blocking them, and protecting themselves from the armed force of the police. What came back at them was condemnation for allegations of “illegal violence,” “leftist anti-Americanism,” and “elements out to destroy the identity of the state.”

The reason the emergency mass held by the Catholic Priests’ Association for Justice resonated so deep and wide is because the religious community has extended a hand when the persecution of those suffering for justice was reaching its height. It was warm comfort to be reminded of how darkness has never been victorious over the light. The candlelight therefore burned as its original peace and joy, and lit the darkness with love and self-sacrifice.

The authorities didn’t know what to do. The military boots, batons, shields, water cannons, and search warrants they boasted got stuck. They had assumed the threats and alienating maneuvers and red-baiting pouring from the powers that be would isolate the candlelight. But yield it did not, and again it formed a line of perfect peace. How will the authorities deal with that?

Religious people of conscience who have long lit up the darkness of each era in recent Korean history are back in the forefront. Following the lead of the Catholic priests, Protestant ministers and Buddhist monks are holding prayer meetings and Buddhist ceremonies. These are clerics who had stood back and set their prayers aloft in silence, lamenting the president’s arrogance and calling for repentance. The beef issue was brought about because of human greed. Mad cow disease came into existence as a result of the destruction of the dignity of life for the sake of greater profit, and a government blinded by the trade interests of a few led to a humiliating beef deal. This is a something that relates directly to the religious endeavor of saving people from sin and pain by washing greed away.

Though they differ in belief and the objects of their faith, it is for this reason that these clerics have come together as of one mind. The desires of the candlelight citizens are like those of the vow to brighten the world by burning off the self. We would hope to see the government accept this spirit on the part of these clerics with a heavy heart and come join the Korean people at a lower place.

Please direct questions or comments to [englishhani@hani.co.kr]