The 18th Korean-Japanese Youth Exchange Meeting

The 18th Korean-Japanese Youth Exchange Meeting with the theme, "Kizuna (きずな)", meaning 'bond' or 'solidarity', was held at the Archdiocese of Osaka in Japan from Feb. 16 to 21, 2012.

About twenty Korean youths took part in the meeting with Rev. Damian Park Myoung-gee, the Secretary of the CBCK Committee for Youth Ministry, and Rev. Peter Kim Seok-ju, in charge of youth ministry in the Diocese of Cheju.

From the welcoming celebration at Umeda Parish of the Archdiocese of Osaka on Feb. 16, 2012, the participants experienced the daily life of Japanese, staying with Japanese families during the meeting. There were various programs such as a visit, tour, lecture and performance.

Especially, they visited Takatori Parish of Nara that took the initiative in helping restore the damage of the Kobe earthquake - so called the Great Hanshin earthquake. Also, they had a chance to learn the history and culture of Japan, paying a visit to Buddhist temples in Nara and experiencing the life of the Church in Japan.

The Most Rev. Michael Matsuura Goro, Auxiliary Bishop of Osaka, said in his special lecture on Feb. 18, 2012, "From the Kobe earthquake, the tsunami in Sri Lanka to the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami last year, people in the midst of great natural disasters were able to realize much stronger bonds and solidarity with one another. In full communion with us, I think God hopes to restore the bond among human beings, which is diminishing in our competitive society."