Catholic ArchbishopSouth KoreanGwangjuHaeju Choe Clan

Andreas Choi Chang-mou

Andreas Choi Chang-mou was a prominent South Korean Catholic prelate, Archbishop of Gwangju, first president of Catholic University, and chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.

1. Life

Andreas Choi Chang-mou's early life and education laid the foundation for his extensive service within the Catholic Church.

1.1. Birth and Childhood

Choi Chang-mou was born on September 15, 1936, in Munsan-eup, Paju, Gyeonggi-do, which was then part of Chōsen under the Empire of Japan.

1.2. Education

He completed his secondary education at Sungshin High School before pursuing theological studies at Catholic University, where he completed three years of the theology program. He then continued his academic journey in Germany, earning a Bachelor's degree from Freiburg University in 1962. He furthered his studies at Freiburg University, obtaining a doctoral degree in 1969.

1.3. Early Activities

Following his ordination as a priest, Choi Chang-mou engaged in various pastoral and academic roles that prepared him for higher leadership. He was ordained a priest on June 9, 1963, for the Archdiocese of Seoul. In 1966, he served as an assistant priest at Myeongdong Cathedral. After completing his doctoral studies, he returned to Korea and began a long and influential career as a professor at Catholic University, teaching from 1970 to 1995. During his tenure, he held significant administrative positions, serving as the 11th Dean of Catholic University in 1979 and again as the 16th Dean in 1991. When Catholic University was elevated to a full university, he became its first president, a position he held from 1992 until February 1995. He was recognized as an experienced priest with over thirty years in pastoral work before his episcopal appointments.

2. Major Activities and Achievements

Archbishop Choi Chang-mou's career is marked by a series of significant appointments and leadership roles within the Catholic Church, spanning priestly, episcopal, and broader church governance activities.

2.1. Priestly Activities

His priestly activities began with his ordination on June 9, 1963, for the Archdiocese of Seoul. He served as an assistant priest at Myeongdong Cathedral in 1966. His academic career at Catholic University was extensive, where he taught as a professor from 1970 to 1995. During this period, he also took on administrative responsibilities, serving as the 11th Dean of the university in 1979 and the 16th Dean in 1991. Following the elevation of Catholic University to a full university, he was appointed its first president, a role he fulfilled from 1992 until February 1995.

2.2. Episcopal Activities

Choi Chang-mou's transition to episcopal service marked a new phase of leadership within the Catholic hierarchy, leading to his eventual appointment as Archbishop of Gwangju.

2.2.1. Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul

On February 3, 1994, Pope John Paul II appointed him as the Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul. Concurrently, he was named the Titular Bishop of Flumenpiscense. His episcopal consecration took place on March 25, 1994, with Cardinal Stephen Kim Sou-hwan, then Archbishop of Seoul, serving as the principal consecrator. Two co-consecrators, including Bishop Paul Kim Ok-kyun, assisted in the ceremony.

2.2.2. Coadjutor Archbishop of Gwangju

After serving as an auxiliary bishop for five years, he was appointed Coadjutor Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Gwangju on February 9, 1999. This appointment designated him with the right of succession to the ordinary of the archdiocese.

2.2.3. Archbishop of Gwangju

On November 30, 2000, Archbishop Choi Chang-mou officially succeeded Victorinus Youn Kong-hi as the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Gwangju, following Archbishop Youn's retirement due to age. He led the archdiocese for nearly a decade, overseeing its pastoral initiatives and development. His tenure as Archbishop concluded on March 25, 2010, when the Holy See accepted his resignation due to age, in accordance with Canon Law. He was succeeded by Hyginus Kim Hee-joong, who had been serving as Coadjutor Archbishop.

2.3. Church Leadership Activities

Beyond his diocesan duties, Archbishop Choi Chang-mou held significant leadership positions within the broader Korean and international Catholic Church. From 2002 to 2005, he served as the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK), the highest body of Catholic bishops in the country. He also served as a member of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples at the Holy See and as the Chairman of the Faith and Doctrine Committee of the CBCK.

3. Thought and Philosophy

Archbishop Choi Chang-mou's spiritual and intellectual orientation is encapsulated in his chosen episcopal motto, which reflects his core beliefs.

3.1. Bishop's Motto

Upon his episcopal consecration, Archbishop Choi Chang-mou adopted the motto, "The Word is the Light of Life" (말씀은 생명의 빛Malssumeun Saengmyeongui BitKorean). This motto reflects a deep emphasis on the centrality of God's Word in guiding human life and faith, highlighting its illuminative and life-giving power.

4. Assessment and Legacy

Archbishop Choi Chang-mou's long career and leadership roles have left a notable mark on the Catholic Church in Korea.

4.1. Positive Assessment

Archbishop Choi Chang-mou is positively assessed for his multifaceted contributions to the Catholic Church in South Korea. His leadership as the first president of Catholic University was crucial in establishing the institution's academic and theological foundation after its elevation to university status, significantly contributing to Catholic higher education. His tenure as Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (2002-2005) demonstrated his capacity for national church governance, guiding the collective efforts of the Korean episcopate. Throughout his priestly and episcopal life, he was recognized as an experienced and dedicated pastor, serving the faithful in various capacities, from an assistant priest to the Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Gwangju. His commitment to the "Word as the Light of Life" underscored a pastoral approach rooted in spiritual guidance and intellectual rigor.

5. Impact

Archbishop Choi Chang-mou's influence extended across various domains, particularly shaping the trajectory of the Catholic Church in Korea through his academic and pastoral leadership.

5.1. Impact on the Catholic Church in Korea

His impact on the Catholic Church in Korea is significant, particularly through his roles in education and church administration. As a professor, dean, and especially as the first president of Catholic University, he played a pivotal role in shaping generations of clergy and lay leaders, contributing to the intellectual and theological development of the Church. His leadership as the Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea allowed him to guide national pastoral initiatives and address contemporary issues facing the Church in South Korea, fostering unity and direction among the bishops. His long service, spanning over three decades as a priest and more than a decade as an archbishop, solidified his legacy as a key figure in the modern history of the Korean Catholic Church.