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 and/or association:
“It is time that the Protestant Church, the Church of the Son, should be one again with the Roman Catholic Church, the Church of the Father. It is time that man shall cease, first to live in the flesh, with joy, and then, unsatisfied, to renounce and to mortify the flesh.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)
“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)
“It is not merely the likeness which is precious ... but the association and the sense of nearness involved in the thing ... the fact of the very shadow of the person lying there fixed forever! It is the very sanctification of portraits I think—and it is not at all monstrous in me to say ... that I would rather have such a memorial of one I dearly loved, than the noblest Artist’s work ever produced.”
—Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861)