ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Catholic Education Week 21 to 27 May

Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - “Jesus Christ, true Master" is the title of a message issued by the Catholic Bishops of Korea on the occasion of the 2nd Catholic Education Week to be held 21 to 27 of this month. The message, signed by Bishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoon, president of the Bishops' Commission for Education has been distributed in Catholic parishes, schools and associations across the country.
Referring to the Vatican II declaration on Catholic Education Gravissimum Educationis, Bishop Ri writes: “The school is the place which promotes the student's intellectual, cultural, personal and spiritual growth. However looking at the situation today it must be said that rather than offering complete education to students the school and is more a place of suffering. A logic of extreme competition has robbed students of the joy of learning and teachers of their dignity”.
“The goal of Catholic schools and institutes of higher education is the integral development of the pupils, contributing to psychological, moral, emotional, intellectual and spiritual growth and most important spiritual Christian formation. The logic of competition which incites students to aim solely for a higher social status must be avoided”.
The message concludes: “During Catholic Education Week we urge Korean Catholics to pray that education may lead students to life and salvation following the example of Jesus Christ, true Master”.
The Bishops' Commission said Catholic education is important for Catholics and for the whole country since it teaches to practice and respect a patrimony of values which promote peace, and citizens with an upright conscience, balanced personality respectful of the common good. The Church is involved in education principally to fulfil her mission to make God's love for all humanity known to all peoples. The local Church is also aware of the effectiveness of Christian witness on the part of priests, religious, lay person especially teachers with good example. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/5/2007 righe 28 parole 281)