On August 14th 2012, Rev. Sun Myung Moon, who is the founder of unification church, was admitted to St. Mary's Hospital at the Catholic University of Korea in Seoul due to complications of cold and pneumonia, but he was transferred to the hospital in the holy ground of the church based on the diagnosis that he cannot be recovered by modern medical science. On September 3rd, at 1:54 am, he died at the age of 92 in the Cheongshim international hospital, in Gapyeong, Kyunggi-do.
The mortuary of Rev. Moon is set up at Cheongshim Peace World Center in Gapyeong, Kyunggi-do. 'Universal Seonghwa Ceremony of Sun Myung Moon, the True Parents of Heaven, Earth, and Humankind' will take place at Cheogshim Peace World Center, in Gapyeong, where is the holy ground of Unification Church, on September 15th, after a 13-day mourning period. The church has 3 days of 'special praying period' and people can visit to pay respect from September 6 to 13, for 8 days. The burial site will be at Cheonseong mountain in Songsanri, Gapyeong. The head of Seonghwa Committee is Rev. Hyungjin Moon, the International President of Unification Church, the 7th son of Rev. Mooon.
Chosun Central News Agency, North Korean state media, on Sept. 5 conveyed condolences from Jong-un Kim to the family of Rev. Moon. The statement attributed to Mr. Kim said "I express my deep condolences to widow Hak Ja Han and the bereaved family upon receiving the sad news that Sun Myung Moon, president of the World Peace Federation, died of illness."
On Sept. 6, the first day of accepting visitors, there were full of cars and tour buses which visitors brought around Cheongshim Peace World Center from 6:00 am, and the line of visitors continued to over 100 meter. Some residents of Seolak-myun in Gapyeong-gun put out banners of condolences on the death of Rev. Moon.
In the first basement stadium, the symbol of Unification Church and portrait of Rev. Moon were placed on a stage which has three steps. Visitors went on the steps in order with lilies and roses, which were Rev. Moon's favorite flowers, and put down the flowers in front of the portrait and offered condolences. The visitors drew attention with their different dress code from other funeral suits, which are dark suit and white necktie for men and white or cream colored suit for women.
There were flowers and telegrams continued from various field. President Myung-bak Lee sent Mr. Injoo Park, Senior Secretary for Social Cohesion of Presidential Office, with flowers and offered condolences on the previous day. National Assembly Speaker Changhee Kang and Mrs. Heeho Lee, wife of the late Former President Daejoong Kim, and Unification Minister Wooik Ryoo sent flowers as well.
70 members of Seongnam Il Hwa soccer team and 600 students of Cheongshim international middle and high school, which are under Unification Church, and Mr. Chaejin Im, former Prosecutor General, visited the mortuary and cherished the memory of Rev. Moon on the morning of the first day. Unification church officials said "It seems that around 10,000 people including 3,000 Japanese visitors will visit to pay respect on today." and "During the visiting, we expect over 150,000 domestic and international visitors including domestic members, people of all social standings, and former and present heads of state."
The body of Rev. Moon is now kept in a glass coffin under low temperature and enshrined in Cheon Jong Gung, where is the memorial museum of unification church. After the casket ceremony on 14, he will be transferred to Cheongshim Peace World Center where the funeral will be held on 15.
There are 82 advisors in Seonghwa committee who are Ven. Jaseung, executive chief of Jogye Order, Mr. Cheolseung Lee, chairman of Elders meeting of Parliamentarians' Society, Mr. Soosung Lee, former Prime Minister, Mr. Heetae Park, former National Assembly Speaker and so on. And Hong-gil Go, Special Affairs Minister, Mr. Jiwon Park, floor leader of Democratic United Party, Mr. Sunkyo Han, chairman of National Assembly Committee on culture, sports, tourism, broadcasting and communications and more are included as members of Seonghwa Committee.
'via Blog this'
No comments:
Post a Comment