Communication on November 5
* Ten-Year Information of the Catholic Church in Korea Published in One Volume
The General Information of the Catholic Church in Korea was published by the Catholic Conference of Korea.
The 1764-page book is a collection of comprehensive information of the Catholic Church in Korea from January 1995 to June 2003 as well as an overview of the Holy See and of the Catholic churches all over the world. As far as the new Diocese of Uijongbu and the new Apostolic Nuncio in Korea are concerned, the book also contains updated information as of June 2004.
The book is composed of six parts: "A General View" of the Catholic Church in Korea and in the World in chronological order by each field; "The Holy See and the Universal Church," examining the situation and history of the Vatican and the Catholic Churches in other regions; "The Catholic Church in Korea," presenting the history and current situation of ecclesial associations and organizations home and abroad; "Statistics and Data," containing the statistical data, publications, and research institutes of the Catholic Church in Korea and the teachings and documents of the Church; "Clerical Directory," containing the personal information of Korean clergy and foreign clergy residing in Korea.
The Most Rev. Andreas Choi Chang-mou, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, said in the publisher's message that "Hopefully, this book can be a good reference for pastors to set up pastoral directions for the Catholic Church in Korea."
* Religious Women Committed to Building the Culture of Life
The Association of Major Superiors of Religious Women in Korea held its 37th general assembly from October 28 to 31, 2004 at Aaron Retreat House in Gyeonggi-do, with the theme "Women Disciples: Witnesses of Gospel in Service to Life."
During the meeting, the women major superiors resolved to be good examples of prayer, dialogue and sacrifice to guide families and society towards Christ, to save life through their own apostolic work, and to become witnesses of life who overcome division.
The Most Rev. Emil Paul Tscherrig, Apostolic Nuncio in Korea, asked the participating religious at the opening Mass to "serve the cause of life following the example of Christ who generously became our sacrifice." The Most Rev. Joseph Lee Han-taek, S.J., Bishop of Uijongbu, said at the closing Mass that "What is most urgently required for religious in our time is to become the witnesses of Gospel."
* Church to Promote Ministry for the Victims of Crimes and Their Families
The CBCK Committee for Abolishing the Capital Punishment (Executive Chairman: Mr. Kim Hyeong-tae, Lawyer) decided at its regular meeting on October 27, 2004 that it would promote ministry for the victims of crimes and their families as well as the families of the condemned criminals.
As a first step of material support, the Committee granted W16,000,000 or US $14,000 to such families to assist their medical and educational cost. This support aims at easing both physical and mental suffering of the victims' families.
In addition, to attract interest from the public for the special bill for abolishing the capital punishment to be presented to the National Assembly, the Committee decided to hold an international event on November 22, 2004 in cooperation with other religious or civic groups by inviting renowned people from Japan and the U.S.A. who are working for abolishing the capital punishment. Besides, cultural functions, including a musical concert, are also being planned for raising the awareness of the public regarding the abolition of the capital punishment.
The General Information of the Catholic Church in Korea was published by the Catholic Conference of Korea.
The 1764-page book is a collection of comprehensive information of the Catholic Church in Korea from January 1995 to June 2003 as well as an overview of the Holy See and of the Catholic churches all over the world. As far as the new Diocese of Uijongbu and the new Apostolic Nuncio in Korea are concerned, the book also contains updated information as of June 2004.
The book is composed of six parts: "A General View" of the Catholic Church in Korea and in the World in chronological order by each field; "The Holy See and the Universal Church," examining the situation and history of the Vatican and the Catholic Churches in other regions; "The Catholic Church in Korea," presenting the history and current situation of ecclesial associations and organizations home and abroad; "Statistics and Data," containing the statistical data, publications, and research institutes of the Catholic Church in Korea and the teachings and documents of the Church; "Clerical Directory," containing the personal information of Korean clergy and foreign clergy residing in Korea.
The Most Rev. Andreas Choi Chang-mou, President of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea, said in the publisher's message that "Hopefully, this book can be a good reference for pastors to set up pastoral directions for the Catholic Church in Korea."
* Religious Women Committed to Building the Culture of Life
The Association of Major Superiors of Religious Women in Korea held its 37th general assembly from October 28 to 31, 2004 at Aaron Retreat House in Gyeonggi-do, with the theme "Women Disciples: Witnesses of Gospel in Service to Life."
During the meeting, the women major superiors resolved to be good examples of prayer, dialogue and sacrifice to guide families and society towards Christ, to save life through their own apostolic work, and to become witnesses of life who overcome division.
The Most Rev. Emil Paul Tscherrig, Apostolic Nuncio in Korea, asked the participating religious at the opening Mass to "serve the cause of life following the example of Christ who generously became our sacrifice." The Most Rev. Joseph Lee Han-taek, S.J., Bishop of Uijongbu, said at the closing Mass that "What is most urgently required for religious in our time is to become the witnesses of Gospel."
* Church to Promote Ministry for the Victims of Crimes and Their Families
The CBCK Committee for Abolishing the Capital Punishment (Executive Chairman: Mr. Kim Hyeong-tae, Lawyer) decided at its regular meeting on October 27, 2004 that it would promote ministry for the victims of crimes and their families as well as the families of the condemned criminals.
As a first step of material support, the Committee granted W16,000,000 or US $14,000 to such families to assist their medical and educational cost. This support aims at easing both physical and mental suffering of the victims' families.
In addition, to attract interest from the public for the special bill for abolishing the capital punishment to be presented to the National Assembly, the Committee decided to hold an international event on November 22, 2004 in cooperation with other religious or civic groups by inviting renowned people from Japan and the U.S.A. who are working for abolishing the capital punishment. Besides, cultural functions, including a musical concert, are also being planned for raising the awareness of the public regarding the abolition of the capital punishment.