Communications on Jan. 11, 2002
* Archbishop of Seoul Promulgates Decree on Pastoral Structure
The Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong, Archbishop of Seoul, promulgated 'Decree on the Reorganization of Pastoral Structure of the Archdiocese of Seoul' on Jan. 1, announcing the implementation of the Episcopal Vicar system.
This Decree, aiming at creating new pastoral environment in the new millennium and building active pastoral structure focused on the reformation of the Church in order to be prepared for the future growth of the Archdiocese through new evangelization, is estimated to be the first ever epoch-making measures in 170 years of the Archdiocese's history and since the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Korea was established 40 years ago.
With this measure, the Archdiocese has become equipped with rearranged pastoral structures, that is, Functional and Territorial Episcopal Vicars systems.
By the Decree, the area of the Archdiocese is divided into four administrative districts; Central Seoul, Eastern Seoul, Western Seoul and Gyeonggi-do.
With the Territorial Episcopal Vicar system, four Monsignors, as Ordinaries, will administer each district in rotation for specified term of office. The Territorial Episcopal Vicar's task is to take care of the life of the clergy, to make annual visits to all parishes and to direct and supervise the implementation of pastoral directory in his district.
It is also his duty to settle the potential conflicts among priests, between priests and religious or the faithful, to deal with the construction or reconstruction of sacred or other buildings, and to communicate between the Archdiocese and parishes. In addition, he should form 'district presbyteral council', which will discuss common challenges of the district, education of the faithful, establishment or separation of parishes and adjustment of boundaries and look for ways of evangelization for special fields such as schools, hospitals, industries, etc.
The task of Functional Episcopal Vicars is divided into seven fields; Corporate bodies of the Archdiocese by civil law; Task under direct control of the Vicar General; Religious institutes; Education; Pastoral Ministry for the Youth; Social Apostolate; Communication Apostolate.
According to an earlier announcement made on Dec. 26, 2001, the Most Rev. Peter Kang was appointed as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Archdiocesan curia and Episcopal Vicar for Education, and the Most Rev. Andrew Yeom, the Episcopal Vicar for the Youth, Social Apostolate and Communication Apostolate. The Most Rev. Joseph Lee was appointed as the Episcopal Vicar for Religious and continues to work as the President of Sogang University.
The Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong also established 'Episcopal Council' composed of the Vicar General, Episcopal Vicars, and the Chancellor of the diocese, with the Archbishop as the convener. It will have following responsibilities; to discuss pastoral policies and matters of the entire Archdiocese; to exchange information; to distribute human and material resources; to function as personnel committee of priests.
"Despite some imperfect aspects, the Decree will be helpful for the Episcopal Vicar system to take root and possible defects can be supplemented and improved through the Synod of the Archdiocese and presbyteral council", said the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong.
* Two Catholic Sisters Awarded the Order of National Service Merit
On December 27, Sister Cho Seong-ae from the Congregation of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres) and Sister Choi Bun-i from Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) were awareded each the Order of National Service Merit.
"Capital punishment has to be abolished," said Sr. Cho Seong-ae the awardee of Dongbaek(Camellia flower) Order of National Service Merit for her life-long dedication to serve the condemned criminals and prisoners.
"My conviction is that we have to start by abolishing the capital punishment system in Korea so as to build social environment where human life is respected and appreciated. Thus, I hope this award serves to advance the abolition of death penally," she said.
Sr. Cho whom people call "condemned criminals' mother" committed herself to the social correction apostolate from 1977 and dedicated herself solely for prisoners. Since then she has led 760 prisoners to the Church and helped the released prisoners and their families by various ways such as finding jobs etc.. Also, with assistance of the Social Correction Apostolate Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul, she made a cemetery in Paju-gun, Gyeonggi-do and buried 32 dead bodies of executed criminals who nobody took care of.
"I want to be with my friends until the last day of my life," said Sr. Choi Bun-i who awarded Mokryeon(Magnolia) Order of National Service Merit on December 27 for her 36-year of service for the poor, alcoholics and homeless people.
Since 1966, Sister Choi has served the most marginalized people in society such as orphans of war and those who suffer from Hansen's disease and mental patients at the House of Hope in Daegu.
In 1989, she opened the first free meal center for the poor in Daegu area. It is from that time that people called her 'godmother of blackguards' and 'friend of the poor'.
Now, she lives with 70 street people and alcoholics at the House of Joseph located in Seongju, Gyeongbuk.
* The Respect for Human Life is the Center of Education -- says Cardinal Kim
"Teachers are not simple communicators of knowledge. Teachers can find the real satisfaction of being teacher when they dedicate themselves to the education with sense of mission and love for the students." H.E. Stephen Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan underlined.
At a special lecture to over 300 middle school teachers with theme of 'meaning of being an educator in our days' given on December 27 at Educational Training Institute of Seoul the Cardinal said that "the authentic education doesn't consist of simple communication of knowledge but an integral human education founded on the value of and respect for the human life."
"I respect teachers who dedicate themselves to keep the educational world even in difficult condition of recent times. If the youth are our future, then, the role of teachers who educate them is very important." he stressed.
"The third millennium is time of information in which all nations and people are called to live in peace and harmony, but, at the same time, it is time of great challenges. In order to overcome these challenges we need to teach our children that the sincerity and honesty are the greatest values of human being." he said and reminded the teachers that they are called to be the first to understand this lesson and implement it.
* Catholic Theological Society Founded
The presidents and professors in theology of all Catholic universities in Korea had an inaugural meeting to establish the Catholic Theological Society at Catholic University of Daegu on Jan. 6, and appointed Rev. Albert Suh, currently Dean of Graduate School of Theology, Catholic University of Daegu, as the first chairman.
With this Society established, the theological circle of Korea may face a new turing point towards further development.
The Society is expected to take the lead in development of theology in Korea through various activities such as regular academic conferences and publication of periodical scholarly journals.
The establishment of the Society is significant in that it enabled theological studies to be conducted on national level, not limited to individual universities.
It was decided on the day to hold the first academic conference June 24-26 in Daegu and for some time to concentrate its effort on establishing solid structures such as forming an executive board and a supporting association.
However, it is not clear how this society can contribute to the establishment and development of individual societies for various branches of theology such as sacred Scripture, ethics, dogmatic theology and liturgies. The periodicals to be published by the society should be harmonized with existing journals of each university.
As of Jan. 7, 74 priest-professors enrolled in this society, which amounts to 56% of such professors working for seven Catholic Universities in Korea.
The Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon, Bishop of Andong, said in his homily, "I believe this society will make important contribution for new evangelization, as it is emerged as a challenge for the Catholic Church in Korea", and asked the theologians to make efforts for the development of theology which can be in perfect harmony with Korean sentiment.
The Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong, Archbishop of Seoul, promulgated 'Decree on the Reorganization of Pastoral Structure of the Archdiocese of Seoul' on Jan. 1, announcing the implementation of the Episcopal Vicar system.
This Decree, aiming at creating new pastoral environment in the new millennium and building active pastoral structure focused on the reformation of the Church in order to be prepared for the future growth of the Archdiocese through new evangelization, is estimated to be the first ever epoch-making measures in 170 years of the Archdiocese's history and since the hierarchy of the Catholic Church in Korea was established 40 years ago.
With this measure, the Archdiocese has become equipped with rearranged pastoral structures, that is, Functional and Territorial Episcopal Vicars systems.
By the Decree, the area of the Archdiocese is divided into four administrative districts; Central Seoul, Eastern Seoul, Western Seoul and Gyeonggi-do.
With the Territorial Episcopal Vicar system, four Monsignors, as Ordinaries, will administer each district in rotation for specified term of office. The Territorial Episcopal Vicar's task is to take care of the life of the clergy, to make annual visits to all parishes and to direct and supervise the implementation of pastoral directory in his district.
It is also his duty to settle the potential conflicts among priests, between priests and religious or the faithful, to deal with the construction or reconstruction of sacred or other buildings, and to communicate between the Archdiocese and parishes. In addition, he should form 'district presbyteral council', which will discuss common challenges of the district, education of the faithful, establishment or separation of parishes and adjustment of boundaries and look for ways of evangelization for special fields such as schools, hospitals, industries, etc.
The task of Functional Episcopal Vicars is divided into seven fields; Corporate bodies of the Archdiocese by civil law; Task under direct control of the Vicar General; Religious institutes; Education; Pastoral Ministry for the Youth; Social Apostolate; Communication Apostolate.
According to an earlier announcement made on Dec. 26, 2001, the Most Rev. Peter Kang was appointed as the Vicar General and Moderator of the Archdiocesan curia and Episcopal Vicar for Education, and the Most Rev. Andrew Yeom, the Episcopal Vicar for the Youth, Social Apostolate and Communication Apostolate. The Most Rev. Joseph Lee was appointed as the Episcopal Vicar for Religious and continues to work as the President of Sogang University.
The Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong also established 'Episcopal Council' composed of the Vicar General, Episcopal Vicars, and the Chancellor of the diocese, with the Archbishop as the convener. It will have following responsibilities; to discuss pastoral policies and matters of the entire Archdiocese; to exchange information; to distribute human and material resources; to function as personnel committee of priests.
"Despite some imperfect aspects, the Decree will be helpful for the Episcopal Vicar system to take root and possible defects can be supplemented and improved through the Synod of the Archdiocese and presbyteral council", said the Most Rev. Nicholas Cheong.
* Two Catholic Sisters Awarded the Order of National Service Merit
On December 27, Sister Cho Seong-ae from the Congregation of Sisters of St. Paul de Chartres) and Sister Choi Bun-i from Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus) were awareded each the Order of National Service Merit.
"Capital punishment has to be abolished," said Sr. Cho Seong-ae the awardee of Dongbaek(Camellia flower) Order of National Service Merit for her life-long dedication to serve the condemned criminals and prisoners.
"My conviction is that we have to start by abolishing the capital punishment system in Korea so as to build social environment where human life is respected and appreciated. Thus, I hope this award serves to advance the abolition of death penally," she said.
Sr. Cho whom people call "condemned criminals' mother" committed herself to the social correction apostolate from 1977 and dedicated herself solely for prisoners. Since then she has led 760 prisoners to the Church and helped the released prisoners and their families by various ways such as finding jobs etc.. Also, with assistance of the Social Correction Apostolate Committee of the Archdiocese of Seoul, she made a cemetery in Paju-gun, Gyeonggi-do and buried 32 dead bodies of executed criminals who nobody took care of.
"I want to be with my friends until the last day of my life," said Sr. Choi Bun-i who awarded Mokryeon(Magnolia) Order of National Service Merit on December 27 for her 36-year of service for the poor, alcoholics and homeless people.
Since 1966, Sister Choi has served the most marginalized people in society such as orphans of war and those who suffer from Hansen's disease and mental patients at the House of Hope in Daegu.
In 1989, she opened the first free meal center for the poor in Daegu area. It is from that time that people called her 'godmother of blackguards' and 'friend of the poor'.
Now, she lives with 70 street people and alcoholics at the House of Joseph located in Seongju, Gyeongbuk.
* The Respect for Human Life is the Center of Education -- says Cardinal Kim
"Teachers are not simple communicators of knowledge. Teachers can find the real satisfaction of being teacher when they dedicate themselves to the education with sense of mission and love for the students." H.E. Stephen Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan underlined.
At a special lecture to over 300 middle school teachers with theme of 'meaning of being an educator in our days' given on December 27 at Educational Training Institute of Seoul the Cardinal said that "the authentic education doesn't consist of simple communication of knowledge but an integral human education founded on the value of and respect for the human life."
"I respect teachers who dedicate themselves to keep the educational world even in difficult condition of recent times. If the youth are our future, then, the role of teachers who educate them is very important." he stressed.
"The third millennium is time of information in which all nations and people are called to live in peace and harmony, but, at the same time, it is time of great challenges. In order to overcome these challenges we need to teach our children that the sincerity and honesty are the greatest values of human being." he said and reminded the teachers that they are called to be the first to understand this lesson and implement it.
* Catholic Theological Society Founded
The presidents and professors in theology of all Catholic universities in Korea had an inaugural meeting to establish the Catholic Theological Society at Catholic University of Daegu on Jan. 6, and appointed Rev. Albert Suh, currently Dean of Graduate School of Theology, Catholic University of Daegu, as the first chairman.
With this Society established, the theological circle of Korea may face a new turing point towards further development.
The Society is expected to take the lead in development of theology in Korea through various activities such as regular academic conferences and publication of periodical scholarly journals.
The establishment of the Society is significant in that it enabled theological studies to be conducted on national level, not limited to individual universities.
It was decided on the day to hold the first academic conference June 24-26 in Daegu and for some time to concentrate its effort on establishing solid structures such as forming an executive board and a supporting association.
However, it is not clear how this society can contribute to the establishment and development of individual societies for various branches of theology such as sacred Scripture, ethics, dogmatic theology and liturgies. The periodicals to be published by the society should be harmonized with existing journals of each university.
As of Jan. 7, 74 priest-professors enrolled in this society, which amounts to 56% of such professors working for seven Catholic Universities in Korea.
The Most Rev. John Chrysostom Kwon, Bishop of Andong, said in his homily, "I believe this society will make important contribution for new evangelization, as it is emerged as a challenge for the Catholic Church in Korea", and asked the theologians to make efforts for the development of theology which can be in perfect harmony with Korean sentiment.