Kimje Shrine

Overview

The Gimje Martyrdom Shrine is a shrine of the Diocese of Jeonju established within Yochon Church in Gimje-si, Jeonbuk, honoring Blessed Han Jeong-heum Stanislaus, who was martyred by decapitation in Gimje during the Shinyu Persecution of 1801. The Diocese of Jeonju introduces this place as 'Gimje Martyrdom Shrine (Martyrdom Site of Han Jeong-heum),' and explains that the martyrdom site is presumed to be around the prison site and that the shrine has been established at Yochon Church near the prison site.

History

According to the biography by the Special Episcopal Committee for Beatification and Canonization of the Korean Bishops' Conference, Han Jeong-heum Stanislaus (1756-1801) was born into a poor yangban family in Gimje, Jeolla-do. He later went to the house of his distant relative Yu Hang-geom Augustine, who lived in Jeonju, became tutor to his children, and came to know the Catholic faith through Yu Hang-geom. After learning the doctrine from Yu Hang-geom and entering the Church, he did not offer ancestral rites in accordance with the Church's teaching, and he also received the sacraments from Father Ju Mun-mo James when the priest visited Jeonju.

Shortly after the outbreak of the Shinyu Persecution of 1801, in March of that year Han Jeong-heum was arrested together with Yu Hang-geom and taken to the Jeonju provincial office, where he underwent harsh interrogations and punishments several times but did not give in. The Diocese of Jeonju explains that, as handed down, he encouraged one another with Choe Yeo-gyeom Matthias and Kim Cheon-ae Andrew, who were in the same prison. He was later transferred to Hanyang and interrogated at the Podocheong and the Hyeongjo, and the Diocese of Jeonju records that he did not beg for his life, saying, 'To die is to live.'

On August 21, 1801 (July 13 of the lunar calendar in the Jeonju Diocese's notation), the Hyeongjo sentenced Han Jeong-heum and his companions to death and ordered that each be sent back to his hometown for execution. Han Jeong-heum was transferred to his hometown of Gimje, and a few days later, on August 26, 1801 (July 18 of the lunar calendar), he was martyred there by decapitation. He was 45 years old at the time. The death sentence issued by the Hyeongjo contained the statement that 'Han Jeong-heum abolished ancestral rites and rather lamented that he could not go to heaven sooner' (biography of the Bishops' Conference).

The Diocese of Jeonju explains that, since Yu Hang-geom's children Yu Jung-cheol John and Yu Mun-seok John and his nephew Yu Jung-seong Matthew, who had been taught by Han Jeong-heum, faithfully kept the faith, were martyred, and were all raised to the rank of the blessed, it can be seen that Han Jeong-heum was more faithful than anyone. On August 16, 2014, Han Jeong-heum was raised to the rank of the blessed together with Blessed Yun Ji-chung Paul and his 123 martyr companions at the beatification ceremony celebrated by Pope Francis in Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul (chronology of beatification of the Bishops' Conference).

The biography of the Bishops' Conference lists his place of martyrdom as Gimje and the martyr shrine as Gimje Martyrdom Shrine. The Diocese of Jeonju explains that the martyrdom site is presumed to be around the prison site.

Related Places and Figures

• Yochon Church: The church where the Gimje Martyrdom Shrine has been established.
• Yu Hang-geom Augustine: The Apostle of Honam, for whose children Han Jeong-heum served as tutor.
• Yu Jung-cheol John, Yu Mun-seok John, Yu Jung-seong Matthew: The children and nephew of Yu Hang-geom who, having been taught by Han Jeong-heum, were martyred and raised to the rank of the blessed.
• Choe Yeo-gyeom Matthias, Kim Cheon-ae Andrew: Fellow martyrs who encouraged one another with Han Jeong-heum in prison at the Jeonju provincial office.
• Gaegapjangteo Martyrdom Shrine: The martyrdom site of Choe Yeo-gyeom, who was sentenced to death on the same day as Han Jeong-heum.

References and Sources

1. Catholic Diocese of Jeonju, Gimje Martyrdom Shrine. Confirmed Han Jeong-heum's entry into the Church and arrest, the dates of martyrdom, the death sentence, the presumed martyrdom site, and the shrine at Yochon Church.
   https://www.jcatholic.or.kr/theme/main/pages/terrasanta11.php
2. Special Episcopal Committee for Beatification and Canonization of the Korean Bishops' Conference, Biographies of 124 Blessed 46 Han Jeong-heum Stanislaus. Confirmed his birth and family, life as a tutor, entry into the Church, arrest, text of the death sentence, date and place of martyrdom, and the listing of the martyr shrine.
   https://cbck.or.kr/koreanmartyrs/124-Martyrs/46
3. Special Episcopal Committee for Beatification and Canonization of the Korean Bishops' Conference, Canonization Process of 124 Blessed. Confirmed the beatification on August 16, 2014.
   https://www.cbck.or.kr/koreanmartyrs/124-Martyrs/Timeline
4. Bulletin No. 2194 issued by the Catholic Diocese of Jeonju (August 3, 2014, 18th Sunday in Ordinary Time), Lives of 124 Servants of God (48) Han Jeong-heum Stanislaus. Confirmed his service as tutor to Yu Hang-geom's children, the death sentence on August 21, 1801, the martyrdom by decapitation on August 26, and his age of 45.
   https://www.jcatholic.or.kr/data/jc_file/jc_ebook_list/2886733847_kVl7do5J_ECA09C2194ED98B8_20140803.pdf