The Committee for Culture of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea (CBCK) held the ceremony of the 14th Catholic Arts Award at Gana Art Gallery in Seoul on February 4, 2009. This year the distinguished achievements of four awardees in three categories were recognized. Along with the Most Rev. Osvaldo Padilla, Apostolic Nuncio in Korea, the Most Rev. John Chang Yik, Bishop of Chunchon, the Most Rev. Peter Lee Ki-heon, President of the Committee for Culture of the CBCK and Bishop of Military Ordinariate in Korea, about 100 participants congratulated the awardees.

In the category of sculpture, Mr. Kim Il-young received the Grand Prix for his 'Statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Child Jesus'. According to the comment of Mr. Yang Seung-chun, Vice-President of the Management Commission of the Catholic Arts Award and Professor emeritus of Seoul National University, the intimacy of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Child Jesus, shown in his work, manifested the freedom, leading spectators into tranquility. Prof. Yang said, "His work of excellence was permeated with Biblical theme and form, helping many faithful to make the communication of faith with ease, which is to be highly acclaimed."

In the category of architecture, two awardees, Mr. Park Jae-hwan and Mr. Mun Jin-ho shared the Grand Prix. Mr. Park renovated the old Songpa Catholic church, destined to be demolished, and set an example of church remodeling. Besides, Mr. Mun built the Dong-myeon mission station in Jeongseon of Wonju Diocese, which successfully manifested the harmony of nature, building and neighbour, surpassing the boundary of sacred architecture.

Special Award was conferred to Mr. Choi Jong-tae, who has built sacred statues in many churches and women religious institutes. His works witnessed his special efforts for the inculturation of sacred art in Korean society, manifested in the facial expression of his statues of Jesus, suggesting that of the statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva (Buddhist statue of pensive Bodhisattva with legs half-crossed), and his statues of the Blessed Virgin Mary in traditional Korean clothes.