Bishop Michael has recently returned from a visit to Korea ahead of the 41st World Youth Day, which will take place in Seoul from 3–8 August 2027.
It will be the first World Youth Day presided over by Pope Leo XIV, and it is hoped that a group of young people from the Dioceses of Clonfert, Galway, Kilmacduagh and Kilfenora, together with young people from the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin, will travel to Seoul to join young Catholics from across the world for this great festival of faith.
During his visit, Bishop Michael travelled with a delegation from the Dioceses of Achonry and Elphin and met representatives of the World Youth Day Organising Committee, young Korean volunteers, the Irish Ambassador to Korea and Embassy staff, together with others involved in preparations for the gathering in Seoul and the surrounding dioceses.
Bishop Michael also celebrated Sunday Mass at Myeong-dong Cathedral, the Cathedral Church of the Immaculate Conception in the heart of Seoul.
Reflecting on the deep bonds of faith between Ireland and Korea, Bishop Michael said:
“It is a long distance between Ireland, on the edge of Europe and here on the edge of Eastern Asia. Nonetheless, our two faith communities have strong historic ties through the work of our Irish Missionaries.
“We might come from different places. However, we are united this morning in the Catholic Faith. For this we give thanks. We are united, as the Gospel so beautifully portrays this Sunday, through that great fulcrum of unity, the successor of Peter, the Chief Shepherd of the Universal Church.
“I know, as a diocese, as a Church, you are preparing to host not only Pope Leo XIV, but the Catholic Youth of the World here next August. It is an enormous responsibility. I wish you well and pray that it will be a moment of great grace for the Church here in Korea.”
The visit also offered Bishop Michael an opportunity to remember the remarkable witness of Irish missionaries who served the Korean people during some of the darkest years of the country’s history.
In Mokpo, Bishop Michael was warmly welcomed by parishioners and celebrated Mass in the parish associated with Fr Tommy Cusack of Liscannor, Co Clare; Fr John O’Brien of Donamon, Co Roscommon, a priest of the Diocese of Elphin and former student of St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen; and Msgr Patrick Brennan of Chicago.
He also remembered Fr Frank Canavan of Headford, Co Galway. Both Fr Tommy Cusack and Fr Frank Canavan were former students of St Mary’s College, Galway, now Coláiste Muire Máthair.
During the Korean War of 1950–1953, the Korean people endured immense suffering and loss. At the beginning of the conflict, seven young Columban priests, including those remembered during Bishop Michael’s visit, chose to remain with their parishioners rather than leave them in their hour of need.
Their decision would ultimately cost them their lives, and their witness remains part of the story of sacrifice and martyrdom within the young Korean Church.
Celebrating Mass at the Basilica of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in Mokpo, Bishop Michael reflected on their example:
“I am humbled to be here among you this morning. I come from a land far away – the homeland of Fathers Tommy Cusack and John O’Brien. They grew up in Ireland. It was there their faith developed. It was there they felt God’s call to mission.
“Responding to that call led them here to Mokpo. To you and your parents and grandparents. It led them to establish and nourish this fledgling Catholic faith community.
“The Church in Korea is indeed a Church that has suffered greatly for the faith. A Church of Martyrs. When persecution was in the air, Fr Tommy and John stood with their people. They ultimately were to pay for that choice with their lives.
“Their faithful example is an example to us – an example of faithful dedication to God’s call to the end. We pray that we might imitate such faithfulness in our own lives – faithfulness to God’s call, faithfulness to loving his holy people.”
Bishop Michael also visited the National War Memorial of Korea in Seoul, where he prayed at the memorial to the Columban Martyrs.
The visit offered a powerful reminder of the historic links between the Church in Ireland and the Church in Korea. As preparations continue for World Youth Day 2027, those bonds of faith, mission and friendship continue to bear fruit.
We pray that the young people who travel from our dioceses to Seoul in 2027 may encounter that same living faith, deepen their friendship with Christ, and return home renewed in their desire to share the Gospel with others.