CBCK News
2009-08-24 13:40
2009-08-24 13:40
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Communications on Sep. 13, 2002
* Holy Father Sent a Special Message of Solidarity and Pastoral Concern for the Victims of Typhoon Rusa

On September 5, the Holy Father, through Cardinal Angelo Sodano, Secretary of State, sent the Most Rev. Michael Pak Jeong-il, President of the CBCK(Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea), a special message to express his solidarity and pastoral concern for the victims of Typhoon Rusa and those engaged in the work of relief and rebuilding. Following is the full text of the message.
"Deeply saddened by reports of the tragic consequences of Typhoon Rusa, His Holiness Pope John Paul II asks you to express his profound solidarity and pastoral concern to the Korean religious and civil authorities and to all those engaged in the massive work of relief and rebuilding. With fervent prayers that almighty God will grant eternal peace to those who have died and consolation and strength to the homeless, injured and suffering, the Holy Father expresses the hope that the international community will respond with prompt and effective assistance."
Meantime, entire Church in Korea engaged in every possible effort for the flood-relief work. Donations and Sunday second collections are encouraged in parishes as well as fund raising through organizations. Volunteer groups are sent to flooded districts.
According to the report, property damage caused by Typhoon Rusa, which battered the nation over the weekend of August 30 to 31, was estimated at 4.3 trillion won (US$ 3.4 billion). A total of 119 people have been confirmed dead and 70 missing. More than 2,000 buildings were flooded across the country, and 2002 bridges and roads were washed away. Roughly 41,000 hectares of farmland were also swamped.
The entire nation is showing its support to the victims of the worst natural disaster in half a century by donating an unprecedented amount of funds. As of September 10, a total of 72.1 billion won(US$60 million) has been raised for flood victims, the largest amount ever for post-flood relief in Korea, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said.
Internet portal sites such as Daum and Freechal have also made it possible to contribute cyber money and small sums of 1,000 to 2000 won by a click of a mouse.
A total 18.6 billion won was already delivered on August 30 to residents of Gyeongsangnam-do, whose homes and farmland were hit by serious downpours.
Before Typhoon Rusa, the Korean people were severely affected by the heavy rainfall and strong wind that battered the Korean Peninsula for 10 days from August 4, causing a great number of causalities and property damage across the country. According to the National Disaster Prevention and Countermeasures Headquarters, at least 28 people were killed or remain missing, 11,666 houses were flooded and 30,400 hectares of farmland were inundated across the country.


* ECMP of the CBCK Envisoned Formation of Priests for Overseas Mission

The Episcopal Commission for Mission & Pastoral(ECMP) of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea(Chairman: the Most Rev. Peter Kang U-il) at its regular meeting held on September 9 at the CBCK building discussed questions pertaining to sending abroad of diocesan priests for foreign mission and pastoral ministry of overseas Koreans.
According to the decision, priests to be sent for foreign mission should have preliminary formation first and with regard to those sent for pastoral care of overseas Koreans the Commission will prepare "Guidelines for Pastoral Care of Overseas Koreans" of which the draft will be presented to the 2002 Autumn General Assembly of the CBCK.
Seeing rich vocations in Korea as a gift from God for foreign mission, the Bishops decided to present a proposal draft to send missionaries to North Korea, Japan and China.
The Commission also acknowledged the need to confer the laity an authorized position, if not 'permanent deacon', to encourage their positive participation in the Church and decided to present a proposal draft to 2003 Spring General Assembly of the CBCK to promote this plan.


* Religion Leaders Urged President of National Assembly for Immediate Legislation of Abolition of Death Penalty

On September 6, religion representatives visited Mr. Paul Park Gwan-yong, the President of National Assembly, to urge him immediate legislation of "Special Law for Abolition of Death Penalty" within his term of office.
Mr. Park said, "personally I support the abolition of death penalty but I think the process of persuading people and forming public opinion should be in place first," and continued, "it would be better if this matter can be settled while I am in the office, so I will try to manage it without causing big problems."
Rev. Paul Lee Chang-young said, "religion or civic groups are developing various cultural events or campaigns to conscienticize people about the necessity and inevitability to abolish death penalty." He also proposed to prepare special legislation to protect and support the families of both criminals and victims of the crimes.
Another Catholic representative Rev. Thomas Lee Young-woo, President of the Social Correction Apostolate Committee, Archdiocese of Seoul, urged him to take determined action on the Government level rather than being led away by the public opinion, citing the example of France where death penalty was abolished by the Government while about 60% of people was still inclined toward maintaining death penalty system. He said, "we should deal with this matter mainly in the perspective of protecting human life and preventing unjust execution of innocent human lives."
Among the visiting delegation were Rev. Mun Jang-sik and Rev. Kim Tae-gyu, Presidents of Committee for Abolition of Death Penalty of the Presbyterian Church of Korea, and Ven. Jin-gwan, Buddhist monk who is their counterpart of the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism.


* Committee for Environment to Develop Various Activities

The Subcommittee for Environment under the Committee for Justice & Peace of the CBCK is planning various activities including a musical concert, according to the decisions of its regular meeting.
As part of it, on October 12 a street concert will be arranged at the premises of Myongdong Cathedral of Seoul Archdiocese and free post cards will be distributed to people to convey message of protecting environment.
In addition, the Subcommittee will offer the religious and the laity five times of lectures on environmental issues in October and November of this year at the CBCK building.
For education of students, the Compilation Committee for Environmental Texts for Sunday School will be established in September so that the texts can be published not until than March 2003 and made available in every parish across the country.
It also decided to propose the CBCK to include environmental doctrines in the Catechism of the Catholic Church in Korea.


* Diocese of Masan to Launch Campaign to Save North Korean Children

The Committee for Justice and Peace of the Diocese of Masan (President: Rev. Simeon Park Chang-gyun) resolved to conduct campaign to save North Korean children in starvation.
For this the Committee sent homily material to the pastors and distributed paper moneyboxes.
"The one-month campaign(October) aims to witness our love for Christ by sharing food with our North Korean brethren in difficulties, especially with ill-fed children and to prepare for the mission to North Korea in the future," said Rev. Simeon Park.
The Committee will buy Chinese maize and send it to the Association of North Korean Catholics (Chairperson: Samuel Jang Jae-eon) that will ensure right distribution of relief good.
The Committee plans to expand the campaign in solidarity with other religions, local people and civic organizations.