Enjoy different cultures, same God, Seoul Archbishop says

By CathNews New Zealand

October 2nd, 2026

The World Youth Day 2027 logo (Archdiocese of Seoul)

With South Korea set to host World Youth Day next August, the Archbishop of Seoul has sent a video message to New Zealanders, encouraging them to attend the major Catholic festival.

Auckland priest Fr Thomas Park and Susilo Kentjana from the Archdiocese of Wellington were recently in Seoul to progress planning for New Zealand pilgrims to travel to Korea next year.

While there, Fr Park invited Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick OCD to offer a message to young Kiwis.

“All young friends in New Zealand, I would like to invite all of you to World Youth Day Seoul 2027,” he said.

“In Korea, you will find different languages, different cultures, different history. But in spite of all these differences, you will find one God, you will experience and you will meet, encounter the same Jesus Christ among us.”

World Youth Day is due to be hosted in Seoul from August 3-8, 2027.

Four pilgrimages are being organised from New Zealand – one for Auckland and Hamilton dioceses; one for the Diocese of Palmerston North; one for the Archdiocese of Wellington; one for the dioceses of Christchurch and Dunedin.

Each pilgrimage has multiple options for those wishing to attend.

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Auckland Catholic Youth Ministry (Facebook)