North Korean Catholics Celebrate Memorial Mass for Pope John Paul II

According to the BBC, 100 North Korean Roman Catholics attended a memorial mass at the only Catholic church in the capital city of Pyongyang today. Apparently the North Korean goverment did not even announce the Pope's death until three days after he had died. With the approval of the North Korean government the service was broadcast in South Korea. The filming and transmission was provided by an American media company. The officiating priest, an ethnic Korean, was also provided by the United States.

I trust that, following the service, the worshippers were allowed to return to their homes...with the approval of the North Korean government, of course!

We should not forget, however, that not too long ago, Albania was considered to be the most oppressive nation in the world. Today it is free and is a strong and vocal supporter of the United States, even providing troops for the coalition forces in Iraq. If it can happen in Albania....