False news and Evil Editing are prolific these days! What's true and what's false!

 We let you know what's true and what's false, on the basis of objective grounds.

SHOW ME THE NAJU FACT ! #2📣 Will I be excommunicated if I go to Naju for pilgrimage?




Show Me the Naju’s Fact ! #2

Will I be excommunicated if I go to Naju for pilgrimage?


Ms. Maria Kwon : False news and evil editing are prolific these days. We let you know what’s true and what’s false, on the basis of objective grounds.

Hello, everyone. Nice to have you with us again for “Show Me the Naju Fact”

Mr. Albinus Kim, Sr. MichaellaNice seeing you!

Ms. Maria Kwon : We held our first episode the last time. This show is for… As you know, these days fake news is rampant.

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes, it is.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Fake news, and evil editing. To satisfy our viewers’ right to know what’s false and what’s true, we have told you that this show will clearly explain the details on the basis of objective facts. 

Well, the theme that we learned was about the Vatican’s position on the pilgrimage to Naju. So the message was clear that the pilgrimage to Naju is indeed allowed. Today’s subject is focused on: ‘Will I be excommunicated if I go to Naju for pilgrimage?’

Excommunication. It’s a little unpleasant to even hear the word. I have two experts to check the facts in detail. Welcome, nice to meet you.

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes, nice to meet you. My name is Albinus Kim Dong-myung. I’m an auditor in Mary’s Ark of Salvation Foundation, Inc.

Ms. Maria Kwon :  Well. Today, with the help of two experts, we’d like to learn about ‘Excommunication’. After watching the last episode, people around me told me that, “It’s like ‘a heavy weight that has been lifted off my chest’ to know that the pilgrimage to Naju is allowed.” “It’s so good to know what I didn’t realize before.”

Mr. Albinus Kim : I'm also very glad to hear that so many people have learned the facts and gained peace in their hearts. And, through the fact check today, I hope more people would receive grace and peace in their minds. This is why, I’m here today.

Sr. Michaella : Yes, I expect we have a lot to explain to you about the topic of excommunication today. I wish you would listen carefully and receive a lot of graces too.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Yes we’ll also be checking the facts directly on the subject. Does a pilgrimage to Naju lead us to being excommunicated?

Mr. Albinus Kim : No, it obviously doesn’t. A lot of people are afraid of being excommunicated after hearing about ‘Automatic Excommunication’ from the Gwangju Archdiocese. But that’s absolutely not true.

Ms. Maria Kwon : You say it’s absolutely not. News about excommunication has been spread around for so long, but we are going to talk about it based on objective facts. Well, first of all, what is the origin of the story about excommunication?

Mr. Albinus Kim : The excommunication issue arose when the Gwangju Archbishop Choi Chang-moo announced it in a decree in 2008. The decree is based on the first declaration announced by the Gwangju Archdiocese.

Ms. Maria Kwon : In the declaration, it says : “The alleged phenomenon that the Eucharist was changed into a lump of bloody flesh in Julia’s mouth is contrary to the doctrine of the Catholic Church that even after the bread and wine are transubstantiated into the body and blood of Christ with the formula of priests' consecration, the species of bread and wine must remain.” Could you explain that?

Mr. Albinus Kim : The Catholic Church teaches the doctrine that if a priest consecrates the host, it becomes the Body and Blood of Jesus. The substance of the Host is Jesus’ flesh and blood even though the external appearance remains as bread and wine.
But by misusing the doctrine, the first declaration stated the Eucharistic miracle is contrary to the doctrine of the Catholic Church. However, denying the Eucharistic miracle can be a heretical error.

Throughout catholic history, there have been several Eucharistic miracles where the consecrated host changed into the visible Flesh and Blood of Jesus, and the Church has recognized them after their thorough investigations.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Oh, are you referring to the Eucharistic Miracle in Lanciano, Italy? I heard some people have seen the display of the Eucharist that had changed into visible flesh and blood there.

Mr. Albinus Kim :  It is in Lanciano where the first Eucharistic Miracle occurred. It was examined both medically and scientifically in Italy. Consequently it was found to be that the Eucharist was human cardiac muscle and the blood was also human.

Ms. Maria Kwon: Right, is there any other Eucharistic Miracle recognized by Church?

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes. A Eucharistic Miracle in Bolsena, Italy. It is well known. One German priest made a pilgrimage to Italy and offered Mass there. While consecrating the host, he doubted, ‘Is It really Jesus' Body and Blood?’. At that moment, the Eucharistic Miracle occurred.

Pope Urban IV heard about the news and he went to Bolsena personally for the adoration of the Eucharist, and instructed Thomas Aquinas, a Saint and greatest Doctor of the Church, to compose and dedicate the Eucharistic Prayer. Through the Eucharistic miracle in Bolsena, the feast of Corpus Christi was established, which we celebrate up to now.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Like you said, even though there are shrines of the Eucharistic miracle that are officially recognized by Catholic Church, the declaration by Gwangju Archdiocese denied all those Eucharistic Miracles by saying ‘the species of bread and wine must remain’ as far as I understand. Is this in any relation to excommunication?

Mr. Albinus Kim : I suppose the Gwangju Archdiocese didn’t think of the consequences by denying the Eucharistic miracles of Naju. By doing so, the Gwangju Archdiocese denied all the Eucharistic miracles that the Popes and the Catholic Church officially recognized so far. Unless the first declaration is corrected, it can be accused of a heretical error.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Oh, it certainly does.

Mr. Albinus Kim : The Gwangju Archdiocese declared those who make pilgrimage to Naju will be automatically excommunicated. However, Cannon Law 14 states “Law does not oblige when there is a doubt about the law.” Thus, the validity of the law must be reserved and the ordinaries have the duty to investigate it carefully. But the Gwangju Archdiocese only announced there will be no reinvestigation and continue to declare the excommunication to Naju pilgrims with their authority. This is clearly an injustice.

Ms. Maria Kwon : I heard that there are 7 cases which bring about automatic excommunication. Please tell us more about them in detail.

Mr. Albinus Kim : Among the seven, five cases can be pardoned only by the Pope and the other two are sheer heresy, paganism, apostasy, and abortion. But Naju has nothing to do with any of the 7 cases that can cause automatic excommunication.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Then, as you just said, Naju has not violated any of those seven cases, right?

Mr. Albinus Kim : No, it hasn’t.

Ms. Maria Kwon : So, the news of the excommunication has spread without a basis of a violation. I think that’s a shame.


It reminds me of what Archbishop Choi Chang-moo had said in the broadcast. “Miracles (in Naju) have not been confirmed but we don’t mean it is ‘not a Miracle’. The Church has not condemned it (Naju).”

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes. That’s what he said when he was on the PBC Broadcast.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Yes

Mr. Albinus Kim : The important thing to note is that the Decree is quite flawed. In order to announce a Decree to impose automatic excommunication, the violation must be specified. They had to state clearly what violation has been committed by Naju to impose automatic excommunication.

But, the decree just applied Can. 391, Can. 1336, and Can. 1364 to the Naju case without specifying what kind of violation Naju committed to pre-qualify as heresy, Paganism, or apostasy but just simply and evasively accused Naju, ‘Naju is a heresy and we impose automatic excommunication.’ But actually the Gwangju Archdiocese has never officially declared that Naju is accused of heresy, paganism, or apostasy.

Ms. Maria Kwon : Yes, after listening to you, I see that the archbishop has never mentioned it. Obviously, when he appeared in the broadcast, he even commented that the church did not condemn Naju.

We have explained everything objectively. Nevertheless, if there is anyone still concerned, ‘If I go on a pilgrimage to Naju, will I be excommunicated?’ Would you like to give us a little more explanation to ease our concerns?

Sr. Michaella : In this civilized world, there are also laws and decrees. If a decree goes against the law, then it becomes invalid. In fact, in the case of this decree issued by the Gwangju Archdiocese, you can notice that it is against the Canon law, which is superior to a decree. First of all, Can. 35, 38 and 1315 state that in order for the decree to be valid, it must be in accordance with God’s law and it must not be issued out of the confines in its own jurisdiction. (Can. 1315 §1. A person who has legislative power can also issue penal laws; within the limits of his competence by reason of territory or of persons)

“If the penalty laws go past its own jurisdiction or competence, it will be invalidated as an abuse of authority.” (‘Commentary of the Canon Law’ written by Cardinal Cheong Jin-Suk) You can notice the decree issued by Gwangju Archdiocese.

“This decree binds all the clergy, religious, and laity in the Archdiocese of Gwangju as well as all the faithful in the Catholic Church.”
If the decree is not just to the diocesan people but to everyone who goes on pilgrimage, it's beyond its jurisdiction. It’s obviously issued beyond its own jurisdiction.

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes, it is.

Sr. Michaella : During the conversation between Archbishop Bulitis and Cardinal Ivan Dias, the Prefect of ‘the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples’, Cardinal Dias commented, “This excommunication is ridiculous because he, the Gwangju Archbishop, has no authority to do this.”

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes, he said that.

Ms. Maria Kwon : We’ve looked over the Canon Law. According to it, the decree has no effect at all. The point is that what both of you just have shared can be found in Canon Law, and is therefore based on objective facts.

Sr. Michaella : Yes. What's interesting is that, after the decree in 2008, Archbishop Choi Chang-moo visited the Blessed Mother’s Chapel and Mountain in Naju. Albinus, I’d like hearing from you about the situation at the time.

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes. I was with Archbishop Choi Chang-moo throughout his visit. The Archbishop, accompanied by 3 priests, visited the Blessed Mother’s Mountain at around 3 p.m. He greeted the pilgrims praying bare-footed at the Stations of the Cross, “May God Bless you abundantly.” Then he came to the Blessed Mother’s Chapel.

Ms. Maria Kwon : That’s what happened. Then, what did he do when he came to the Blessed Mother’s Chapel?

Mr. Albinus Kim : There were many different pictures of the miracles and signs displayed there. And when he finished looking at them, he said, “I’m not stopping the faithful from praying.” These words came from the same person who had said, ‘Anyone who goes on a pilgrimage to Naju will be excommunicated automatically’. Yet here he said that he wouldn’t stop people from praying. In my opinion, he himself declared the decree, but he was also aware that his decree was flawed.

Ms. Maria Kwon : I think it’s very impressive that he looked around one by one. Then, did he just look around and go back?

Mr. Albinus Kim : I said to him, “May Your Grace be healthy!” Then he said to me, “May God bless you.” He said so. The Archbishop already knew who I was. Because he nodded when a priest said, “This is the man, Albinus Kim Dong-myung.”

Even though he knew who I was, he didn’t mention anything about excommunication. Instead, he wished a blessing upon me. I think he looked a little troubled after declaring the faulty decree.

Ms. Maria Kwon: He declared the decree. Yet said “May God bless you!” when he visited the Shrine of the Blessed Mother of Naju. It was really questionable. I heard your children received ‘Sacrament of Confirmation’ from the archbishop himself.

Mr. Albinus Kim : Yes, they did. In May 2010, my son and daughter decided to join the religious group of Mary’s Ark of Salvation and went for ‘Sacrament of Confirmation’.
Archbishop Choi, Chang-moo (who issued the decree) also personally gave the Sacrament of Confirmation to my children.

As you know some of other churches declined the faithful because of just one family member going on a pilgrimage to Naju. In this situation, my son and daughter, despite their hard work in making a pilgrimage to Naju, received the Sacrament by the Archbishop. This seems rather paradoxical.

Ms. Maria Kwon : I think they were permitted to receive the Sacrament because of what you have just explained. Or it was allowed because their actions did not indeed constitute an excommunication. I think it’s a reasonable conclusion following Canon Law. Sister, Is there anything else you need to tell us?

Sr. Michaella : Lastly, in 2008, after the decree, Cardinal Ivan Dias, the prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, sent letters to the Korean bishops during the Spring General Assembly of the CBCK.

According to contents of that letter, “As what has been happening in Naju is considered a private revelation, the restrictions do not apply to the pilgrims to Naju. Likewise, the penalties on Fr. Aloysius Chang should be lifted. Fr. Chang can celebrate Mass.” We were told about it through Archbishop Giovanni Bulatis, who was the former Apostolic Nuncio to Korea.

Ms. Maria Kwon : The former Apostolic Nuncio? I’m learning the facts that I didn’t know about. So, I think that we are definitely reviewing the facts today.
Let’s wrap things up again. The decree of excommunication has no effect as it is against the Canon Law. Archbishop Bulitis and Cardinal Ivan Dias, the prefect of the Evangelization of Peoples, said: “He, Archbishop Choi has no authority to do this. The restrictions do not apply to the pilgrims to Naju.”

It’s a shame why fake news is prevailing widely these days. Whether it is prevalent in church or in society, I hope only the exact facts would be released to the people.
There are many people around me who really want to go on a pilgrimage to Naju. ‘You will be excommunicated.’ ‘The pilgrimage is not allowed by the church.’ There are many people who hesitated because of these comments. Now that you have clarified that the excommunication is not applicable to you, I hope you all will embark on your pilgrimage as you wish and receive abundant blessings in Naju.

Mr. Albinus Kim : May God bless all of you!

Ms. Maria Kwon : Thank you so much for your explanation today. I’ll be with you again next time to check the facts on an another topic.

Show Me the Naju Fact! Subscribe!

Mr. Albinus Kim : Comments!

Sr. Michaella : Like!

Ms. Maria Kwon : Please don’t forget! Bye~
1 0

The Chapel of the Blessed Mother of Naju  12, Najucheon 2-gil, Naju City, Jeonnam, 58258, South Korea  

The Blessed Mother's mountain  Singwang-ro 425, Dasi-myeon, Naju City, Jeonnam, South Korea 

TEL  +82 61-334-5003 | FAX  +82 61-332-3372 | E-mail  marysnaju@najumary.or.kr  

COPYRIGHTⓒ 2022 Mary's Ark of Salvation Foundation, Inc.