1. Life
Peter Chung Soon-taick's personal journey began in Daegu, South Korea, leading him through academic pursuits to a profound faith experience that redirected his life toward the priesthood and religious service within the Discalced Carmelites.
1.1. Early life and family background
Peter Chung Soon-taick was born on August 5, 1961, in Daegu, South Korea. He is the only son among three children born to Jeong Un-jang (Joseph) and Jo Jeong-ja (Teresa of Avila). During his early education at Daegu Hyosung Elementary School, Dongil Middle School, and Wooshin High School in Seoul, he was known as a "sujae" (수재genius/prodigyKorean) for consistently achieving high scores across almost all subjects.
1.2. Education and entry into religious life
Chung initially pursued a conventional academic path, enrolling in the Department of Industrial Chemistry at Seoul National University's College of Engineering in 1983, from which he graduated in 1986. A pivotal moment in his life occurred during his third year of university when he attended a Focolare Mariapoli (Maria's City) gathering. There, he experienced a "hot faith experience," realizing that "God calls and uses each person as they are." This profound encounter ignited a lasting spiritual fervor.
Despite his father's suggestion to complete his university studies before making a definitive decision, Chung remained steadfast in his vocational calling. After graduating, he transferred to the second year of the Seoul Archdiocese seminary. An unexpected turn came when he sustained a back injury during a military physical examination. During his recovery, he immersed himself in Carmelite spiritual writings, which deeply resonated with him. This period solidified his decision to enter religious life. In December 1984, he submitted his application to the Carmelite Order, fulfilled his military service as supplementary duty, and formally entered the Discalced Carmelites in May 1986. He completed his novitiate from 1986 to 1992, making his first vows in February 1988 and his perpetual vows on January 25, 1992. He also studied at the Songsin Theological Campus of the Catholic University of Korea.
1.3. Priesthood and early ministry
Peter Chung Soon-taick was ordained a Carmelite priest on July 16, 1992, at the Carmelite monastery in Incheon. Following his ordination, he served in various leadership and formation roles within the Carmelite Order, including Novice Master from 1993 to 1996 and Provincial Definitor and Superior of the Seoul Student Monastery from 1996 to 1999.
In 2000, he pursued advanced studies in Sacred Scripture in Rome, earning a master's degree from the Pontifical Biblical Institute (Biblicum) in 2004. His thesis provided a new interpretation of Psalm 57. Upon his return to Korea, he continued to hold significant positions within his order. From 2005 to 2008, he served as Vice-Superior of the Incheon Monastery and First Definitor of the Quasi-Province. He then served as Superior of the Gwangju Student Monastery and First Definitor of the Province from 2008 to 2009. From 2009 to 2013, he held the esteemed international position of Definitor General of the Order of Discalced Carmelites in Rome, with responsibilities for the Far East and Oceania regions.
2. Episcopal Ministry
Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick's episcopal ministry has been marked by significant pastoral and administrative responsibilities, first as an auxiliary bishop and then as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang.
2.1. Ministry as an Auxiliary Bishop
On December 30, 2013, Pope Francis appointed Peter Chung Soon-taick as an Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul and titular bishop of Tamazuca, alongside Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon. He received his episcopal consecration on February 5, 2014, at the Changcheon-dong Stadium in Seoul. The principal consecrator was Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, then Archbishop of Seoul, assisted by Basil Cho Kyu-man, Vicar General of Seoul, and Linus Lee Seong-hyo, Auxiliary Bishop of Suwon. He chose as his episcopal motto Deus Pater, Mater Ecclesia, which translates to "God the Father, Mother Church" (하느님 아버지, 어머니 교회Haneunim Abeoji, Eomeoni GyohoeKorean).
During his tenure as Auxiliary Bishop, from February 18, 2014, to December 7, 2021, he served as the Vicar General for the West Seoul Region, Religious Orders, and Youth for the Archdiocese of Seoul. He also took on significant roles within the Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference, serving as Chairman of the Youth Pastoral Committee and the Missionary Pastoral Committee from October 30, 2014, to March 16, 2023. Additionally, he was a board member of the Catholic Education Foundation from April 4, 2014, to December 18, 2021. From June 1, 2016, to December 7, 2021, he chaired the Korean Church History Research Institute and the Seoul Archdiocese Martyrs' Veneration Committee and the Beatification and Canonization Preparation Committee.
2.2. Ministry as Archbishop
On October 28, 2021, Pope Francis appointed him Metropolitan Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang, succeeding Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, whose resignation was accepted. Archbishop Chung was formally installed at the Myeongdong Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception on December 8, 2021.
As a symbol of his authority as Metropolitan Archbishop, he received the pallium from Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City on June 29, 2022. A special Mass for the conferral of the pallium was held at Myeongdong Cathedral on November 7, 2022.
Since his installation, Archbishop Chung has continued to hold numerous important positions. From December 8, 2021, he has served as Chairman of the Seoul Archdiocese Life Committee, Bishop in charge of the Korean Catholic Catechetical Institute, a member of the Bishops' Conference Special Committee for National Reconciliation, and a member of the Bishops' Conference Special Committee for Beatification and Canonization. He also oversees the Pontifical Korean Theological Institute in Rome and the Korean Foreign Mission Society. On December 18, 2021, he became the Chairman of the Catholic Education Foundation. Since March 22, 2022, he has been a member of the Bishops' Conference Standing Committee and a board member of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, concurrently serving as Chairman of the Bishops' Conference Clergy and Bishops Committee. More recently, from March 16, 2023, he assumed the roles of Chairman of the Bishops' Conference Domestic Migration Pastoral Committee and a member of the Bishops' Conference Social Committee. He has also been a member of the Theological Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) since January 1, 2020.
3. Coat of Arms and Symbolism
The episcopal coat of arms of Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick is rich in symbolism, reflecting his faith, his Carmelite spirituality, and his ministerial duties. The design features traditional elements combined with personal and theological meanings.
The brown bishop's hat, adorned with four tiers of green tassels, and the crosier are traditional symbols representing the office of an archbishop as a "successor of the apostles." The color brown of the hat also signifies humility and poverty, being the "color of the earth," and is the traditional color associated with mendicant orders like the Discalced Carmelites. This choice emphasizes his commitment to a humble approach in his ministry.
The shield, a central element, symbolizes the bishop's duty to protect the Church. Within the shield, a brown shape is depicted, which can be interpreted in two ways: as a mountain or as a path rendered in perspective. As a mountain, it represents the "Carmel Mountain path," symbolizing the journey of faith towards "union with God," a core tenet of Carmelite spirituality. As a path, it signifies the pilgrim's journey, or the "journey of faith."
A prominent white star is positioned above this brown shape. The star is a traditional symbol of the Virgin Mary, particularly as the "Star of the Sea," guiding the faithful on their journey. The blue band beneath the star further reinforces this Marian symbolism, representing the sea.
Finally, a yellow light emanating from a Christian cross illuminates the entire shield. This light symbolizes the "light of salvation" that originates from the cross of Jesus Christ, representing divine guidance and grace that illuminates the entire journey of faith and the Carmelite path.
4. Chronology of Career and Positions
The following table provides a chronological overview of Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick's significant ecclesiastical appointments, roles, and activities within the Catholic Church.
| Date | Position / Role |
|---|---|
| May 1986 | Entered the Order of Discalced Carmelites |
| February 1988 | Made his First Vows in the Carmelite Order |
| January 25, 1992 | Made his Perpetual Vows in the Carmelite Order |
| July 16, 1992 | Ordained a Priest in the Carmelite Order |
| 1993 - 1996 | Novice Master of the Carmelite Order |
| 1996 - 1999 | Provincial Definitor and Superior of the Seoul Student Monastery, Carmelite Order |
| 2000 - 2004 | Studied Sacred Scripture at the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome |
| 2005 - 2008 | Vice-Superior of the Incheon Monastery and First Definitor of the Quasi-Province, Carmelite Order |
| 2008 - 2009 | Superior of the Gwangju Student Monastery and First Definitor of the Province, Carmelite Order |
| 2009 - 2013 | Definitor General for Far East and Oceania at the Carmelite Order's General Curia in Rome |
| December 30, 2013 | Appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Seoul (Titular Bishop of Tamazuca) |
| February 5, 2014 | Episcopal Consecration as Bishop |
| February 18, 2014 - December 7, 2021 | Vicar General for West Seoul Region, Religious Orders, and Youth, Archdiocese of Seoul |
| April 4, 2014 - December 18, 2021 | Board Member, Catholic Education Foundation |
| October 30, 2014 - March 16, 2023 | Chairman, Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference Youth Pastoral Committee |
| October 30, 2014 - March 16, 2023 | Chairman, Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference Missionary Pastoral Committee |
| June 1, 2016 - December 7, 2021 | Chairman, Korean Church History Research Institute |
| June 1, 2016 - December 7, 2021 | Chairman, Seoul Archdiocese Martyrs' Veneration Committee and Beatification and Canonization Preparation Committee |
| January 1, 2020 - Present | Member, Theological Commission of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences (FABC) |
| October 28, 2021 | Appointed Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang |
| December 8, 2021 | Installed as 14th Archbishop of Seoul and Apostolic Administrator of Pyongyang |
| December 8, 2021 - March 22, 2022 | Member, Bishops' Conference Clergy and Bishops Committee |
| December 8, 2021 - Present | Chairman, Seoul Archdiocese Life Committee |
| December 8, 2021 - Present | Bishop in charge, Korean Catholic Catechetical Institute |
| December 8, 2021 - Present | Member, Bishops' Conference Special Committee for National Reconciliation |
| December 8, 2021 - Present | Member, Bishops' Conference Special Committee for Beatification and Canonization |
| December 8, 2021 - Present | Bishop in charge, Pontifical Korean Theological Institute in Rome |
| December 8, 2021 - Present | Bishop in charge, Korean Foreign Mission Society |
| December 18, 2021 - Present | Chairman, Catholic Education Foundation |
| June 29, 2022 | Received the Pallium from Pope Francis at St. Peter's Basilica |
| November 7, 2022 | Pallium Conferral Mass at Myeongdong Cathedral |
| March 22, 2022 - Present | Member, Bishops' Conference Standing Committee and Board Member, Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea |
| March 22, 2022 - Present | Chairman, Bishops' Conference Clergy and Bishops Committee |
| March 16, 2023 - Present | Chairman, Bishops' Conference Domestic Migration Pastoral Committee |
| March 16, 2023 - Present | Member, Bishops' Conference Social Committee |