SEOUL (UCAN) -- About 200 priests who joined in celebrating a street Mass in Seoul urged the government to listen to the voice of the people and renegotiate a beef-import agreement that has stirred protests across South Korea.

The Catholic Priests' Association for Justice (CPAJ) organized the Mass on June 30 in front of City Hall after the government violently suppressed candlelight protest vigils. About 20,000 people, not all Catholics, joined in the Mass with lit candles.

CPAJ president Father Simon Chun Jong-hun read out a statement during the homily: "Now, tragic events that we cannot bear to watch are happening. We are angry at the government's violence against the people."

The priests asserted that the government has betrayed its duty to protect public health, and riot police are now clubbing people to suppress public opinion.

On April 18, President Lee Myung-bak agreed to resume U.S. beef imports, including beef from cattle older than 30 months, believed more at risk of bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or "mad cow" disease, than younger animals. South Korea suspended U.S. beef imports in late 2003 after cases of mad cow disease were discovered in the United States.

Starting May 2, South Koreans held candlelight vigils across the country to protest the agreement. President Lee apologized twice and conducted an "additional" negotiation on the import terms.

After discussions in Washington, D.C., the South Korean government announced on June 21 that it agreed to a "Quality System Assessment" (QSA) program, in which the United States will export only beef from cattle aged less than 30 months.

On June 26, the Korean government resumed U.S. beef imports, and since then it has used riot police to suppress the "illegal" candlelight vigils.

"Lamenting the arrogance and ignorance of President Lee, his Cabinet and the ruling Grand National Party, we rebuke their fallen conscience in the name of the Church," the priests' statement says.

"Reflecting on the Gospel words, 'a light that darkness could not overpower (John 1:5),' we support the candlelight vigils. We, priests, will protect the sublime candlelight against the violence of the riot police along with Religious and the faithful," it adds.

After Mass, the people peacefully marched through downtown Seoul for an hour, led by mostly nuns and priests.

Gemma Lee Hyo-jin, a Mass participant, told UCA News: "The government is branding the candlelight vigils as violent demonstrations and trying to dismiss them with riot police. The priests' joining the vigil is very helpful for us who demand real renegotiation." She added, "As a Catholic I'm very proud of the priests who work for democracy in the country."

Redemptorist Father Casimir Kwon Oh-sang, who joined the Mass, told UCA News the government has lost its credibility by "making an unfair agreement with the United States and forcing the people to accept it, treating them like slaves."

CPAJ secretary Father Mark Kim In-kook praised the people's perseverance in staging candlelight vigils for 60 days. However, the "meaning of the candlelight vigils has been distorted by the government, which highlights some violent participants," he told UCA News.

Meanwhile, about 20 CPAJ priests have decided to stage a sit-in fast in a tent in front of City Hall and celebrate Mass there every evening. One of the priests, Father Francis Na Seong-gu, told UCA News on June 30, "As long as President Lee ignores the people's voice, our resistance will not end."

Following the priests' action, Buddhist monks and Protestant pastors have announced they too will join the protest. The (Protestant) National Council of Churches in Korea and several Buddhist groups are planning to hold religious services in front of the city hall on June 3 and 4 respectively.

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