ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Third Annual Congress for Catholic social organizations

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – “May service to those most in need, the poor and marginalized, become an opportunity to bear witness to the love of the living God.” These were the words of Bishop Lazarus You Heung-sik, President of the Bishops’ Committee for Caritas Korea, in the Opening Mass at the Third National Congress for Catholic social organizations celebrated in Seoul with the theme: “That they all may be one: communion, generosity, and maturity.”
Attending the Congress were over 350 delegates from 15 Korean dioceses that met to discuss the new challenges being faced by Catholics in Korea, especially by the charitable organizations, but also in the areas of social work, education, health care, aid to the poor and marginalized, the sick and handicapped.
The participants attended a talk on “The identity of Catholic social work and the behavior of its agents,” given by Prof. Francis Oh Kyeong from the University of Incheon, who reminded his listeners of the profound motivation and spiritual roots of those who, as Christians, work in the social field, in accord with the Church’s social doctrine.
Caritas Korea and other Catholic social organizations are working on two levels: internationally, with North Korea and other countries of the world, and nationally, offering help and assistance for the poor and sick who are often marginalized in Korean society, now known for its high-level technology, social well-being, and consumerism.
The organizations are asking all Koreans to “be aware of the social problems and inequalities present among the rich and poor, in Korea and the world.” For some years now, the Catholic associations have carried out an awareness campaign on the lifestyle being imposed on Catholic associations, reminding each Christian of his duty to promote a culture of temperance and solidarity. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 12/9/2008)