Communication on March 25, 2005
* Bishops Stress "Justice, Truth And Love" in Easter Messages
On the occasion of the Easter Sunday on March 27, 2005, each diocesan Bishop issued Easter Message and invited the faithful to "realize the profound meaning of the Resurrection and to follow the way of life Jesus showed to us."
Saying that "The life of cross is the duty and task Christians should take and carry out in the world," the Bishops called for the faithful to "have the confidence that justice, truth and love can triumph after all, however grave the difficulties are."
The Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul, said in his message that "Without the resurrection of the Lord, our faith and hope find themselves useless," and asked Christians to "walk the way of the cross alongside of the Lord," feeling responsibilities for the darkness and degradation of the world. Archbishop Cheong added, "We must not forget that the fruit of the faith is the results of intense and insistent inner struggle."
The Most Rev. Paul Ri Moun-hi, Archbishop of Daegu, said, "No one can conquer the death and live forever, but we can obtain the eternal life by imitating Jesus." "If we know that there is a way to eternal life, we must not remain the same as when we did not realize it."
The Most Rev. Andreas Choi Chang-mou, Archbishop of Kwangju, particularly recalling the 25th anniversary of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, said, "We have the mission to shed light on the historic event of May 18 Gwangju Uprising with the Paschal mystery and remember its spirit, so that the dark event and facts can be illuminated anew and the innocent victims can be commemorated." He also said, "If each of us, each family, community and diocese take away the old leaven and become bread made from new dough for the world, we can celebrate this Easter happier than ever."
* "St. Joseph School" to Guide Fathers to True Paternity
The Research Institute for Family Ministry of the Diocese of Suwon (Director: Rev. Benedict Song Young-oh) is taking an earnest step to make a "true family" with various programs for family members.
In particular, the "St. Joseph School: For True Paternity," which will open next month as a six-week course for fathers of teenagers, deserves to be mentioned since it is a course for fathers on children education, considering that most of existing programs are prepared for mothers.
Given the current crisis of the family break-up, the School is expected to be a meaningful occasion to restore the role, place and identity of father in family and to propose an image of father. After completing all courses, the participants will be encouraged to make a "meeting to become good fathers" and to have monthly Mass and family retreat so that this program will not be an one-time event.
Fr. Song said, "Nowadays, children tend to think of their father as a money-maker of the family. Hopefully, this School can be an opportunity for fathers to conform to the desirable image of father and to mature themselves in personality as well as in faith."
Since its opening 1999, the Institute has promoted various projects, including formation of consultants in the spirit of the Catholic teaching, family retreats and seminars, and introduced experts to intensify its ability of program developing and research.
"The family problem in Korea, which already became serious, requires more active intervention of experts and research institutes. The joint pastoral letter of Korean bishops published last year, 'Family, the Cradle of Life and Love,' also emphasized formation of family ministry staffs and experts," Fr. Song explained.
On the occasion of the Easter Sunday on March 27, 2005, each diocesan Bishop issued Easter Message and invited the faithful to "realize the profound meaning of the Resurrection and to follow the way of life Jesus showed to us."
Saying that "The life of cross is the duty and task Christians should take and carry out in the world," the Bishops called for the faithful to "have the confidence that justice, truth and love can triumph after all, however grave the difficulties are."
The Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong Jin-suk, Archbishop of Seoul, said in his message that "Without the resurrection of the Lord, our faith and hope find themselves useless," and asked Christians to "walk the way of the cross alongside of the Lord," feeling responsibilities for the darkness and degradation of the world. Archbishop Cheong added, "We must not forget that the fruit of the faith is the results of intense and insistent inner struggle."
The Most Rev. Paul Ri Moun-hi, Archbishop of Daegu, said, "No one can conquer the death and live forever, but we can obtain the eternal life by imitating Jesus." "If we know that there is a way to eternal life, we must not remain the same as when we did not realize it."
The Most Rev. Andreas Choi Chang-mou, Archbishop of Kwangju, particularly recalling the 25th anniversary of May 18 Gwangju Democratic Uprising, said, "We have the mission to shed light on the historic event of May 18 Gwangju Uprising with the Paschal mystery and remember its spirit, so that the dark event and facts can be illuminated anew and the innocent victims can be commemorated." He also said, "If each of us, each family, community and diocese take away the old leaven and become bread made from new dough for the world, we can celebrate this Easter happier than ever."
* "St. Joseph School" to Guide Fathers to True Paternity
The Research Institute for Family Ministry of the Diocese of Suwon (Director: Rev. Benedict Song Young-oh) is taking an earnest step to make a "true family" with various programs for family members.
In particular, the "St. Joseph School: For True Paternity," which will open next month as a six-week course for fathers of teenagers, deserves to be mentioned since it is a course for fathers on children education, considering that most of existing programs are prepared for mothers.
Given the current crisis of the family break-up, the School is expected to be a meaningful occasion to restore the role, place and identity of father in family and to propose an image of father. After completing all courses, the participants will be encouraged to make a "meeting to become good fathers" and to have monthly Mass and family retreat so that this program will not be an one-time event.
Fr. Song said, "Nowadays, children tend to think of their father as a money-maker of the family. Hopefully, this School can be an opportunity for fathers to conform to the desirable image of father and to mature themselves in personality as well as in faith."
Since its opening 1999, the Institute has promoted various projects, including formation of consultants in the spirit of the Catholic teaching, family retreats and seminars, and introduced experts to intensify its ability of program developing and research.
"The family problem in Korea, which already became serious, requires more active intervention of experts and research institutes. The joint pastoral letter of Korean bishops published last year, 'Family, the Cradle of Life and Love,' also emphasized formation of family ministry staffs and experts," Fr. Song explained.