CBCK News
2009-08-27 11:38
9,701
Diocesan Center for the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family

The Diocesan Center for the 'Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family' is opened in the 2nd campus of Incheon Catholic University, located at New Songdo City, on August 22, 2008. This is the first step for the establishment of the Korean Session of the Institute, which is planned in next year.


 


The Central Session of the Institute in Rome asked the Diocese of Incheon, if it could establish the Korean Session of the Institute. Responding to the request positively, the Diocese of Incheon decided to establish the Korean Session of the Institute in Incheon and issued a 'Decree for the Opening of the Diocesan Center for the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family' on May 9, 2008. It also appointed Rev. Joseph Cheong Kwang-wung as the President of the 'Preparatory Commission for the Establishment of the Korean Session of the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family' on July 3, 2008.


 


Msgr. Livino Melina, President of Central Session of the Institute in Rome, visited Korea from August 21 to 24 to participate in the signing ceremony of the Diocesan Center. In a newspaper interview, he said, "Basically, the meaning of family and marriage can be rehabilitated only when the love for human beings is properly realized." He also said, "I hope that the Korean Session of the Institute becomes the center of the evangelization in Northeast Asian region and plays an important role all the more." Then he continued, "This Institute offers the same curriculum in all Sessions around the world, but the experts in pastoral care for family who graduate the Institute can be helpful in various areas of pastoral care according to the particular social situation of each country. ...... For example, in India they focus more on the interreligious dialogue and the counseling for the poor families, while in Mexico they care more about the dual-income families." At conclusion, he said, "As other Sessions, the Korean Session will exert its best for the formation of the pastoral ministers who can realize the more practical pastoral care for family in local society."