Top Stories 25/08/15 Korean auxiliary bishop dies of cancer at 63

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Timothy Yu Kyung-chon was known for his life of humility, frugality and love for the poor people

Auxiliary Bishop Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon of Seoul, South Korea, passed away on Aug. 15. (Photo: Archdiocese of Seoul)

By UCA News reporter

Published: August 18, 2025 10:38 AM GMT

Updated: August 19, 2025 06:28 AM GMT

The auxiliary bishop of South Korea’s Seoul Archdiocese Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon passed away battling cancer at the age of 63 on Aug. 15.

Yu breathed his last at Church-run St. Mary’s Hospital in the national capital Seoul in presence of doctors, family members and nuns, according to Seoul Archdiocese.

He was diagnosed with stage two bile duct cancer in January last year. This rare disease affects a network of tubes, called ducts, that connects the liver, gallbladder, and small intestine.

Known for his love for the poor and hungry as the head of archdiocese’s social service ministry, the prelate said he was heartbroken because he could no longer serve needy people.

“There were many things I wanted to do more for the poor, but I am heartbroken that I cannot be there,” he said prior to death.

Following the diagnosis, Yu underwent surgery and chemotherapy. The cancer later metastasized to his abdomen, and he resumed chemotherapy in October of that year.

On Christmas Day 2024, he shared updates and expressed his gratitude to his parishioners, continuing his pastoral calling even during his illness.

However, he was hospitalized after his health rapidly deteriorated on Aug. 11.

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul made an appeal to clergy, religious and laypeople to remember him in prayers.

As the in-charge of Seoul Catholic Welfare Association and chief of One Body One Soul Movement, which supports needy and marginalized communities, Yu oversaw the archdiocese’s charity work including raising donations, leading volunteers and offering free meal service.

On many occasions, Yu joined volunteers in cooking food and serving to poor people at Myeongdong Bapjib, a Church-run free meal center in Seoul.

He made regular visits to various social welfare facilities to reach out to the poor people and listen to their stories of suffering.

Every Monday, be it winter or summer, he used to visit homeless Catholics to dispense sacraments and pray rosary with them on the streets.

He is credited for supporting victims of the 2014 Sewol ferry disaster and other socially underprivileged groups, and collaborating with international groups offering support to poor and marginalized communities in up to 72 countries in Asia and Africa.

Yu also authored at least three books — “To the Believer in the 21st Century,” “Lent, a Gift Renewed Every Day,” and “We Are the Lord’s Ecological Apostles,” — which are collections of his sermons and essays, and reflections on faith, social doctrine, and ecological spirituality.

Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon was born in Seoul in 1962. He graduated from the Catholic University of Korea.

He studied at the University of Wurzburg, Germany after completing his military service. He was ordained a priest in Seoul in 1992. He earned a doctorate in theology from the Sankt Georgen Graduate School of Philosophy and Theology in Frankfurt, Germany.

Pope Francis appointed him an auxiliary bishop of Seoul Archdiocese in 2013. Yu was known for his modest lifestyle, maintaining a low profile and driving the same small, old car for decades.

Archbishop Chung hailed the late bishop for his exemplary life of humility and frugality.

“Bishop Yu truly lived a frugal and poor life, and he always made an effort to go directly to those in need and be with them,” Chung said during a memorial mass at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on Aug. 15.

This report is brought to you in partnership with Catholic Times of Korea