Catholic Priests' Association for Justice (CPAJ; Korean: 천주교정의구현전국사제단) is a South Korean association of Catholic priests, whose aim is to establish justice in Korea. It was established on September 26, 1974 as an attempt to resist against military regime of Park Chung-hee. This coalition of Catholic priests emphasized voluntary membership and individual priests' prerogative regarding what information ought to be relayed to their constituents. After the military regime ended, CPAJ currently focuses on reunifying Korea, safeguarding the environment, abolishing National Security Law, and promoting anti-war movements.
In October 2007, CPAJ revealed a corruption scandal of Samsung Group.
On June 30, 2008, CPAJ started participating beef protest regarding import of U.S. beef, which has been suspected to have been infected by bovine spongiform encephalopathy, by celebrating Mass in Seoul and participating candlelight demonstration afterwards.
Famous quotes containing the words catholic, priests, association and/or justice:
“You do not mean by mystery what a Catholic does. You mean an interesting uncertainty: the uncertainty ceasing interest ceases also.... But a Catholic by mystery means an incomprehensible certainty: without certainty, without formulation there is no interest;... the clearer the formulation the greater the interest.”
—Gerard Manley Hopkins (1844–1889)
“Preach in the name of God. The learned will smile; ask the learned what they have done for their country. The priests will excommunicate you; say to the priests that you know God better than all of them together do, and that between God and His law you have no need of any intermediary. The people will understand you, and repeat with you: We believe in God the Father, who is Intelligence and Love, Creator and Teacher of Humanity. And in this saying you and the People will conquer.”
—Giuseppe Mazzini (1805–1872)
“... a Christian has neither more nor less rights in our association than an atheist. When our platform becomes too narrow for people of all creeds and of no creeds, I myself cannot stand upon it.”
—Susan B. Anthony (1820–1906)
“So the people will pay the penalty for their kings’ presumption, who, by devising evil, turn justice from her path with tortuous speech.”
—Hesiod (c. 8th century B.C.)