Communication on Feb. 20, 2004
| * Religious, Civic Groups Voice against the Embryonic Cloning Success by Korean Scientists As Korean researchers' success in cloning human embryos was reported recently, religious and civic groups in Korea criticized it for being unethical, worrisome and irresponsible. On Feb. 12, 2004, international media widely announced that Prof. Hwang Woo-suk of Seoul National University and his team succeeded in taking stem cells from a cloned human embryo for the first time in the world. Regarding this, the Most Rev. Francis Xavier Ahn Myong-ok, President of the CBCK Bioethics Committee, said, "It is very regrettable that people simply regard it as a scientific 'achievement,' without thinking about the possible misuse of result and violation of human life. It is also disappointing that the government, who should take the lead in protecting human life, supports such a research." The Rev. Paul Lee Chang Young, Deputy Secretary General of the CBCK, made a special contribution to the Pyeonghwa Shinmun, a Catholic Weekly, and criticized, "They committed what they must never do," and added, "Science and technology, which should serve the good of the humanity, were reduced to a means of commercialization to make profits." He also condemned the favoring attitude of the media for being biased and urged all Catholic lawmakers, researchers engaged in biotechnology, and media professionals to follow the teachings of the Church and their conscience and to make responsible and ethical decisions regarding life-related issues. Ms. Kim Myong-hee, Director of the "One Mind One Body Movement" of the Archdiocese of Seoul, said, "It is not only unethical and immoral but also has the possibility to commercialize a woman's body as an egg provider." The People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy, a leading civic group in Korea, also issued a statement on Feb. 12, 2004, and said, "Researchers pushed the project ignoring the ethical problems. Their behavior is irresponsible." It also expressed concern about the possibility that the success would provoke trading in eggs or fertilized eggs. As the bill on bioethics passed last year and to be enforced from January 2005 in Korea cannot regulate this kind of research because of some conditional provisions, it seems urgent to revise the bill, as the Catholic Church in Korea has insistently requested. * Youth Volunteers Depart to Serve in East Timor "Youth Volunteers" composed of nineteen Korean high school students and university students flew to East Timor on Feb. 18, 2004 to promote volunteer and cultural activities in East Timor. This project was sponsored by the Society of St. Francis De Sales and the Association of Youth Volunteers in Korea. From Feb. 18 to Mar. 1, 2004, the young volunteers will carry out various activities in East Timor, such as painting houses, installing electric equipment and planting trees. They will also watch movies with the youth of East Timor. Prof. Thomas Aquinas Lee Myong-cheon of Chungang University, Advisor of the Association of Youth Volunteers, said, "I hope this project will contribute to building friendship between Korean youth and East Timorese youth." Salesian Brother Br. Park Gyeong-suk who led the youth volunteers said, "The project will provide a good opportunity for the youth to discover their identity in giving helps to others of their age in other countries. Hopefully, the youth can learn the virtue of sharing through this activity." * Diocese of Cheongju Institutes the Day of Prayer for Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers The Diocese of Cheongju decided to observe Feb. 16 every year as the Day of Prayer for Maryknoll Missionaries, in commemoration of the 50 years of their commitment and contribution to the Diocese. The Most Rev. Gabriel Chang Bong-hun, Bishop of Cheongju, announced this decision on Feb. 12, 2004 at the retirement Mass of the Rev. Robert M. Lilly, M.M., the last Maryknoll priest serving in the Diocese. The date was chosen because the late Most Rev. Pardy James, M.M., the first Bishop of Cheongju from 1958 to 1970, died on Feb. 16, 1983. The Most Rev. Chang said, "Though Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers cannot provide missionaries for Asia any more due to the lack of vocation, priests and the faithful in the Diocese of Cheongju, especially Missionary Brothers of St. Luke Hwang S?k-du, will succeed to their mission in Asia." * Interreligious Memorial Service Held for Subway Arson Victims in Daegu To commemorate and console the souls who were victimized by the last year's subway arson in Daegu, an interreligious memorial service was held at Jungangno, downtown Daegu, on Feb. 18, 2004, with participation of Catholics, Protestants, Won Buddhists, Buddhists, Confucianists, and followers of Cheondo-gyo. All participants, including the Most Rev. Paul Ri Moun-hi, Archbishop of Taegu, prayed that the victims may rest in peace and wished Daegu would be a more peaceful and safer city. Earlier on Feb. 16, 2004, the Council for Lay Apostolate of Daegu held a memorial in which Catholic poets, artists and musicians presented performances for the victims and their families. Masses were also offered at parishes. A total of 192 people were killed and 148 injured in Daegu subway arson on Feb. 18, 2003. |