During
the 17th century the Christian faith was brought to Korea through the
zeal of lay persons. From the very beginning these Christians suffered
terrible persecutions and many suffered martyrdom.
Son of Korean
converts who were martyred during the persecution of 1839 (and beatified
in 1925), Andrew Kim Tae-gon was baptized at fifteen. He traveled
thirteen hundred miles to the seminary in Macao, China, and was ordained
to the priesthood six years later. He traveled back to his home and
became involved in smuggling missionaries into the country to spread
Christianity.
During the year 1846, he was arrested with Paul
Chong Ha-sang and their companions, and they were all tortured prior to
being beheaded for his beliefs. Among them were a few bishops and
priests, but for the most part lay people, men and women, married and
unmarried, children, young people, and the elderly.
These martyrs
suffered greatly and gave their lives for Christ for the religious
freedom which came in 1883. Pope John Paul II canonized them on May 6,
1984, during his trip to Korea.
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