Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – How to bring the charism and missionary spirit of Saint Paul to Korea: this has been at the heart of a recent symposium held by the Church in Korea, in honor of the Year of Saint Paul. The symposium, which was held in Seoul, was organized in cooperation with the Bishops’ Committee for Evangelization and the Catholic Broadcasting Company, which works in mass media.
Bishop Paul Choi Deok-ki, President of the Bishops’ Committee for Evangelization, said: “The measure of the Church’s vitality in is her capacity to evangelize,” encouraging the Church in Korea to participate in this passion for the mission. “In this Year of St. Paul, we need to learn to be missionaries like St. Paul, who was the greatest missionary, moved by an ardent passion for the mission,” he added.
Among the other speeches given at the symposium, there was one by Professor Damian Kim Young-nam, from the Catholic University of Korea, who spoke on the missionary spirit typical of the Apostle, who said: “The soul of the Korean Church is the spirit of martyrdom. The Lord has shed His Grace in abundance upon the Church in Korea, which has been established by Korean martyrs. But, we should never forget the divine grace that has been given us so that we can share it with others.”
Professor Andrea Yoo Hee-seok of the Catholic University of Suwon asked all Korean faithful to recognize their identity as missionaries, being inspired by Saint Paul to spread the Gospel message in Korea.
During the symposium, participants also reflected on the Church’s commitment to living the Year of Saint Paul in an ecumenical tone, working together with other churches, dialoguing, and making greater effort in all areas, especially in charity. The hope is that “the Year of St. Paul is not only an internal celebration of the Church, but that it becomes a celebration of life and truth in all areas of society.” (PA) (Agenzia Fides 29/09/2008)
