Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Bishops offer comfort after ferry disaster

United Methodist bishops — including three Korean Americans — have extended prayers, words of comfort and the hope of Easter following last week’s ferry tragedy in South Korea.

The Sewol ferry with 476 passengers aboard sank Wednesday, April 16, off the South Korean coast. According to news reports, as of April 24, the death toll has risen to at least 171 with more than 130 people still missing — many of them high school students on a last excursion before a year of cramming for college entrance exams.

“I know you are joining me in prayer for the families and friends in my native country of South Korea as we mourn the loss of so many lives following the terrible ferry accident,” wrote Wisconsin Area Bishop Hee-Soo Jung in an April 21 pastoral letter.

“In this Easter season as we celebrate God's love in Jesus Christ and the hope of Easter, we are reminded again of the power of love and life over death and loss.”

Harrisburg (Pa.) Area Bishop Jeremiah J. Park, who also was born in South Korea, requested God’s comfort. He quoted verses from Psalm 70: “Hasten, O God, to save me; O Lord, come quickly to help me. … You are my help and my deliverer; O Lord, do not delay.”

He noted that the losses in South Korea have come not long after an airplane disappeared over the South Indian Ocean, leaving almost 300 families without clear answers of what happened to their loved ones. The bishop prayed not only for those who mourn but also for those involved in search and recovery efforts.

“O God of our help for ages, hear us when we cry out ‘why’ to you,” Park wrote. “Help us see you at work in all of our tears, pain and broken-heartedness. You are traveling this road with us. You are weeping with us. You understand our anger, despair and helplessness. You continue to walk through the deep valley with us.”

Richmond (Va.) Bishop Young Jin Cho told United Methodist Communications that he too is heartbroken and is “sincerely praying for victims and their families.”

But the tragedy has touched far more than the Korean and Korean-American community.

A photograph of a grieving Korean woman made Chicago Area Bishop Sally Dyck think of Mary, the mother of Jesus, weeping for her crucified son.

“The agony in her face is intense, and I see it as symbolic of the agony of all who are weeping today for the children and others on the ship that sank off the coast of South Korea,” Dyck wrote in a blog post.

She said Michelangelo’s famous sculpture the Pietà, which shows a mourning Mary cradling Jesus, reminds her of how the Christian church should respond to tragedy.

“The church is called to hold those who suffer close to it and to wait and pray in hope.”

*Hahn is a multimedia news reporter for United Methodist News Service. Lee is the director of Korean resources for United Methodist Communications. Contact them at (615) 742-5470 or [email protected].


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Judicial Council
Council of President Tracy S. Malone (center), who also leads the Indiana Conference, addresses her fellow bishops and those watching on livestream on May 2, final day of the Council of Bishops 2025 spring meeting in Chicago. The bishops released a statement late that day trying to ease concerns about a Judicial Council ruling on same-sex weddings. Sitting beside Malone, from left, are Horizon Texas Conference Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr., president-designate, and Bishop L. Jonathan Holston, secretary. Holston leads the Alabama-West Florida and North Alabama conferences. Photo by Rick Wolcott, Council of Bishops.

Bishops respond to same-sex wedding ruling

United Methodist bishops seek to ease concerns after the denomination’s top court ruled that trustees cannot bar a pastor from officiating at same-sex weddings within church walls.
General Church
The Council of Bishops and Connectional Table have collaborated in developing a new vision statement for the denomination: The United Methodist Church forms disciples of Jesus Christ who, empowered by the Holy Spirit, love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously in local communities and worldwide connections. Earth image by NASA Space Observatory; graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News.

Bishops unveil vision for United Methodist Church

United Methodist bishops — in collaboration with the Connectional Table — have adopted a vision that says United Methodists “love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.”
General Church
In her presidential address, Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone outlines the challenges facing United Methodists — including the need to rebuild after church disaffiliations and take on the rise of cruelty and erosion of human rights. Malone, who also leads the Indiana Conference, was speaking to bishops meeting in Chicago this week. Photo by Paul Gómez, United Methodist Communications.

Bishops urged to confront rising cruelty

As The United Methodist Church rebuilds, Council of Bishops President Tracy S. Malone challenged her fellow bishops to address inhumanity and act with the compassion of Christ.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved