Roman Catholic Diocese of P'yong-yang
Encyclopedia
The Roman Catholic Diocese of P'yong-yang (Lat: Dioecesis Pyeongyangensis) is a diocese
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
in North Korea
.
The diocese has the distinction of being the only one in all of North Korea. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Seoul
Originally erected in 1927, as the Apostolic Prefecture of Hpyeng-yang, the prefecture was renamed in March 1929 as the Apostolic prefecture of Peng-yang.
In 1939, the prefecture was merged with another prefecture and elevated to the Vicariate Apostolic of Heijo. In 1950, it was split again and renamed to the Vicariate Apostolic of Pyong-Yang. Finally in 1962, the Vicariate was elevated to a full diocese.
executed 166 priests and religious, as well as imprisoning the current bishop, Francis Hong Yong-ho
. There is no knowledge of any priests surviving the persecution of the late 40s; however the Pontifical Yearbook, continues to describe Francis Hong Yong-ho as missing, and to raise the current plight of Catholics in North Korea to the world at large. Francis Hong Yong-ho would now be 105, if he is still alive.
At the present time, the diocese is administered sede plena by Nicolas Cheong Jin-Suk, the archbishop of Seoul, who will continue his episcopal oversight until a new bishop can be appointed to shepherd the people of North Korea.
Diocese
A diocese is the district or see under the supervision of a bishop. It is divided into parishes.An archdiocese is more significant than a diocese. An archdiocese is presided over by an archbishop whose see may have or had importance due to size or historical significance...
of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
in North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
.
The diocese has the distinction of being the only one in all of North Korea. The diocese is a suffragan of the Archdiocese of Seoul
Originally erected in 1927, as the Apostolic Prefecture of Hpyeng-yang, the prefecture was renamed in March 1929 as the Apostolic prefecture of Peng-yang.
In 1939, the prefecture was merged with another prefecture and elevated to the Vicariate Apostolic of Heijo. In 1950, it was split again and renamed to the Vicariate Apostolic of Pyong-Yang. Finally in 1962, the Vicariate was elevated to a full diocese.
Persecution
In 1949, with the advent of the Communist revolution in North Korea, Kim Il-SungKim Il-sung
Kim Il-sung was a Korean communist politician who led the Democratic People's Republic of Korea from its founding in 1948 until his death in 1994. He held the posts of Prime Minister from 1948 to 1972 and President from 1972 to his death...
executed 166 priests and religious, as well as imprisoning the current bishop, Francis Hong Yong-ho
Francis Hong Yong-ho
Francis Hong Yong-ho was the Roman Catholic bishop of Pyongyang, North Korea. Francis Hong Yong-ho was imprisoned by the communist regime of Kim Il-sung in 1949 and later disappeared...
. There is no knowledge of any priests surviving the persecution of the late 40s; however the Pontifical Yearbook, continues to describe Francis Hong Yong-ho as missing, and to raise the current plight of Catholics in North Korea to the world at large. Francis Hong Yong-ho would now be 105, if he is still alive.
At the present time, the diocese is administered sede plena by Nicolas Cheong Jin-Suk, the archbishop of Seoul, who will continue his episcopal oversight until a new bishop can be appointed to shepherd the people of North Korea.
Ordinaries
- Patrick Joseph Byrne, M.M. † (9 Nov 1927 Appointed - 12 Aug 1929 Resigned)
- John Edward Morris, M.H.M. † (1 Apr 1930 Appointed - 1937 Died)
- William F. O'Shea, M.M. † (11 Jul 1939 Appointed - 27 Feb 1945 Died)
- Francis Hong Yong-hoFrancis Hong Yong-hoFrancis Hong Yong-ho was the Roman Catholic bishop of Pyongyang, North Korea. Francis Hong Yong-ho was imprisoned by the communist regime of Kim Il-sung in 1949 and later disappeared...
(24 Mar 1944 Appointed - )