Tuesday, July 31, 2018

Addiction— And The Wisdom of Moderation

Addiction, a state in which one is enslaved to a habit or activity that is psychologically or physically habit-forming to such an extent that its cessation causes severe trauma. A thesaurus lists the following: habit, dependency, the monkey on one's back, craving, enslavement, and obsession.
 

Often we hear the word positive addiction but ordinarily, the word is used when the results are harmful to the person with the addiction. Postive 'addictions' can be devotion to an idea or practice that is helpful to a person's growth. A virtuous act that has become habitual.
 

In a column of the Catholic Peace Weekly, a poet and essayist reflects on the word addiction. Whether sitting or standing, eyes closed, the object of the craving is present, if only dimly, to give pleasure and not rarely the limitless taste of the bottomless pit.

Ecstasy, fulfillment, and great delight depending on the source may be the results. It directs a person's way to the future with tears or laughter and may teach one the proper way to live the earthly life we have received.
 

Her older brother had an extraordinary intellect,  noticed in the way he spoke. As a student, he learned the board game 'Go' and enjoying the challenges, gave himself to the pursuit of its mysteries spending his time in 'Go' clubhouses. Gradually began betting, his spirit sometimes high and sometimes low; like a child playing by the water's edge who gradually goes out deeper into the water.

He became interested in mahjong, horseracing— gambling took over. His family's worries were no more than oil on water. He was entranced in making a fortune all at once but the ups and downs finally were destructive.
 

The writer mentions the time she volunteered to work in a hospital for alcoholics. She received all the necessary lectures and the written materials to help her in her work. Many women with the problem were patients at the hospital. Their aim was to return to a normal life again with their families.
 

Many who left, shortly returned, once, twice three times, after relapsing. She saw many who were lost. For the writer, it was a time in which she began to wonder about what life was all about.
 

Literature came into her life and gradually it became her entire interest. Literature filled the empty place in her heart, her cries and difficulties were relieved by the consolation and peace she received from literature. Walls she was not able to scale, literature made doors in the wall, literature became her life—literature became her happy addiction.
 

Addiction has many aspects and the results are different. It can take away everything possessed or can give you joy and great satisfaction. Each of us determines what is going to be our goal in life. Each has the gift of free will and has to determine where and what it will choose. The final results will be determined by the choices one makes.
 

Many are overcome by addiction. The color, taste, aroma have different faces, the degree of absorption is the test?  Each day that passes we get closer to the black hole which is the dividing path between life and death. Addiction beckons us on and we need the wisdom from life to determine our response.

Sunday, July 29, 2018

I Was A Stranger And You Received Me

Over 500 Yemeni refugees entered Jejudo Island visa-free on flights from South Asia which have produced an outcry and debate throughout Korea. An attempt to increase the number of tourists to the island has brought an influx of refugees from the battlegrounds of Yemen. People have heard about what happened in Europe and are concerned about their safety. An article in the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers an understanding of the situation faced by the refugees and the citizens of Jejudo.
 

Yemen in the southwestern part of the Arabian Peninsula was in ancient times a land of prosperity. It is presumed to be the capital of the kingdom of Sheba in Old Testament Times. The queen of Sheba visited Jerusalem bringing precious gifts to wise king Solomen.
 

The scenery of Yemen is beautiful. It has primeval forests, desert, oasis, and sea. Today, however, it is a land of hunger and war. Neighboring countries involved in a civil war between different political and religious sects. Many have died and thousands have left. They found no welcoming in the Middle East,  Africa or in Southeast Asia and came to Jejudo Island.
 

The world is suffering from refugees and the illegal immigration problem. The view towards refugees is getting tougher. The United States continues talking about building walls on the border with Mexico. In Europe, the extreme right-wing parties rejecting refugees have come to power with great support.  Over a half a million in Korea have signed a petition against their government's friendly migration policies and seeking to revoke the Yemen refugee applications.
 

Korea was the first Asian country to implement the refugee law, however, the actual recognition rate is low. Only about 4% of the applicants were recognized as refugees and those including humanitarian permits are about 10%.
 

Pope Francis calls for concern and consideration for refugees. His first visit as pope was to a refugee camp in Lampedusa, Italy. He wants us to reflect on our indifference to those hurting. The Pope called for a "reawakening of consciences" to counter the "indifference" shown to migrants. "We have lost a sense of brotherly responsibility," he said, and "have forgotten how to cry" for migrants lost at sea.
 

The pope met with Rohingya refugees from Myanmar living in Bangladesh and asked God to forgive those who have been persecuting them. The writer mentions the futurist Jacques Attali who calls the 21st century the 'New Nomadic Age'. The numbers that are traveling around the world are staggering. Korea alone has over 2 million they are the weak of society.
 

The necessary ethic in this nomadic age is understanding, tolerance, mercy and love. We need to accept the refugees as neighbors. In Korean society, we have migrant workers, refugees from North Korea, foreigners who have married Koreans,  and multicultural families. We need to have a warmer gaze on these members of our society. We have to share our concern for them.
 

Christians have the example of Jesus who right after birth was a refugee. In his parable before the Last Supper, he said to the church: "I was a stranger and you received me in your homes"  (Matt. 25:35).

Friday, July 27, 2018

Korean Catholic Diocese Symposium

One of the dioceses recently had a symposium on pastoral work. Written up in the Catholic Peace Weekly with the headline: "Peace of mind is desired but church work—well, let me think about it!"
 

The hearts of believers are ready to receive service in the manner of customers. Service of others is difficult and they want to be at peace. Participants wondered whether the church is doing its part in inviting the laypeople to get involved.
 

Up until the eighties, the church's mission was to enter the world and change it but gradually the world was seen as secularizing the church. This year is the Jubilee year of the laity; a desire to speak about the age of change and awakening of the laity. Are the laity living with the joy of the gospel?
 

One participant mentioned 5 issues which are obstacles for the laity:(1) low priority of the religious life in daily living (2) relationships with others not one of the values (3) individualistic spirituality (4) anti-intellectualism (5) weakening of the family bonds.
 

Another participant mentioned motivation behind faith life is weakening. Our 'bellies and mouth' and lack of concern for peace of the world was listed.  Believers are looking for peace and joy of the gospel but not finding it. In his opinion, the greatest obstacle to growth in spirituality is being confined by one's own personal understanding and interest of what is required—isolated from others.

In the panel discussion, one person mentioned the tendency of the parish priests to curb the activities of parish groups according to the whims of the priests. A desire for more autonomy of the parish groups was expressed. In the education of the believers, it was hoped that a special parish could be designated where this could be carried out.
 

The results of a survey made among the leaders of the diocese on consciousness: 82% said the president of the parish council was chosen by the priest, as to the qualities necessary—getting along with the pastor.
 

The biggest problem seen by the leaders of the diocese was the members who have left the community of faith and how to get them to return 66%. Re-education of the Catholics was 52%. Education of the young 47% and renewal of the clergy 32%. Overall, the Korean Church's greatest problem was the passivity of the laity 49%; 32 % felt it was the falling away of the Catholics.

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Smoother Communication in Diocese

Both Catholic papers had writes ups on the Suwon diocesan change for the governing of the diocese.  Since 2006 the diocese was divided into 6 vicariates with deaneries. They have now taken the diocese pastored by the ordinary and divided the diocese into two vicariates with deaneries. The two bishop auxiliaries will have the pastoral responsibility under the ordinary in the two vicariates.


In the past the deans where elected by the members of the deanery but the bishop of the diocese will now appoint the dean and the parish in which he resides will be the seat for the deanery.
 

This is a change in an effort to become closer to the people, priests and religious. The diocese has over 900 thousand believers and over 500 priests and 214 parishes. Editorials and articles are hoping that the efforts do produce fruit.
 

One editorial saw the diocese stripping an old frame and making a new one. To summarize the characteristics of the new frame—small diocese, strong vicariate, and lively parishes. 

The two auxilary bishops will take the place of the 6 vicariate priests who were the vicars. One vicariate has 110 parishes and 11 deaneries and the other one has 10 deaneries and 104 parishes.
 

The intention is to make the communication between the pastors, religious and people and the bishop smoother and easier. Efforts to decentralize are for better use of the personnel—more effectual on the pastoral level. The vicariates will have autonomy to set up their own offices for vocations and public relations and other offices they feel necessary.
 

The ordinary of the diocese has explained that with any change there is always some difficulty and they should be prepared to deal with the problems. With cooperation and working together, the goal is to give vitality to the parishes. Each vicariate has the freedom to be creative. The diocese is working at reform and renewal and the bishop of the diocese hopes difficulties encountered will not discourage but challenge and encourage them.
 

The ordinary in the message for the 50th anniversary of the diocese stressed that communication and participation as two important categories on which to work." Before us, both within and outside, we have challenges and critical situations to face but we need to face them head on for our work of evangelization.
 

With Pope Francis we are seeing steps taken for a decentralization of the work of the church away from the Vatican. There are dangers in everything we do but the attempts of being a more listening and closer to the sheep type community is all for the good and hopefully, success will inspire other dioceses to attempt renewal in their governing.

Monday, July 23, 2018

Fatique Within the Church

The Burnout Society is the way Han Bung-chul a Korean born philosopher living in Germany describes the society in which we live. He diagnoses people as being both perpetrators and victims of fatigue—exploiting and exhausting themselves—separating themselves from others and themselves. The fatigue that is experienced he calls a "solitary fatigue" precisely for this reason.
 

A professor from Gwangju Catholic University writes in the Theological Perspective Quarterly about the need for re-education of the 'floating Catholics'—intermediate Catholics, who are between the committed and those who are no longer part of the community and living in this burnout society which has entered the church.
 

This fatigue can develop into violence that may destroy the lives of individuals as well as the society to which they belong. The writer strongly feels the sociological diagnosis leads to a pastoral search for remedies for the fatigue that we find in the field of theology. Pastoral research is necessary for the efforts in the past have been mostly temporary strategies.

He reviews the recent statistics of the church that were published. The government census in 2015, made every ten years, showed a drop in the number of Catholics from the church's own statistics. In the 2005 census, Catholic were 10.8 % of the total population, in the 2015 census only 7.9 %. 


This was embarrassing for the church. Those who left the community of faith were about one third. Over half of the Catholics can be considered to have left the community of faith. According to the church's own statistics Catholics who attended Mass in 2015  were 20.7%, in 2016 it dropped to 19.5%.
 

According to many, we have a core group of religious people and semi-peripheral and peripheral groups. The core group which numbers from 5 to 15 % do not speak for the larger number of Catholics. In a recent survey 70 % of the Catholics who have left the community show a possibility of returning while 30% showed no similar desire. The main reason for leaving the community was to make a living and for studies—44%.

We have various divisions of those  who have left the community of faith: religious abstention, apostasy, disaffiliation, and unchurched—also different degrees of leaving the community of faith. Many who are members are also in some of these categories and it is these that the Church should desire to make core members.
 

We have active and passive members. Those who know how to pass on the message but we need those who live the message and have not separated the living from the thinking. The article wants the church  to be interested not only in core believers and the lapsed Catholics but on the large numbers within the community of faith who are peripheral believers, intermediate believers, to help them become core believers for they are the ones who become lapsed.
 

These are the burnout members of our faith community who need the concern of the pastoral workers to make them active and contemplative members of the community of faith.

Saturday, July 21, 2018

Era of Sprituality for Which the World Waits(?)

All religions and Christians of all types, for the most part, use the word spirituality as a positive quest for a fully human life. Many also use the word spirituality in opposition to religion: "I am spiritual but not religious" not affiliated with any church.  This is a common understanding of many as if religion was an obstacle to spiritual growth.
 

In the Jewish Christian understanding of the  person, we have the body, soul, mind, and heart."Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind."
 

With efforts at integration and harmony of these four, we walk the path of spirituality. Sadly, the Church is not seen as a path to a deep spirituality. Writing in a bulletin for priests the writer mentions that scholars of the religious life see humankind interested in the spiritual— a deep concern and  desire for the spiritual.
 

Materialism and liberalism is doing well but in the gaps we find many looking for the spiritual often in faulty manners but the desire is strong and healthy. Many are leaving the establish churches for they do not find a response to their thirst for the spiritual. A sign churches have lost the spiritual vitality they once had.
 

One priest expressed the problem as one in which the church with the great changes taking place in society is in crisis, fearful of the future like  "scared dogs who put their  tails between their legs, bark, and walk backwards."
 

He wonders whether the reason is the loss of prestige the pastoral workers had in the past when the country was attempting to bring itself out of the difficulties of the war and the poverty of the times.  The church was active in feeding the poor and bringing to the aid of the citizens what we received from the west. We benefitted from the influence of  Christianity and the culture of the west as a church with class.
 

In the process, we forgot the role of our ancestors in the faith who gave their lives for what they believed. We benefited from their lives and sacrifices but have done little to prepare for the future church with the examples they gave us.
 

We are coming close to a century of being a divided country. Hope abounds for a time of peace and we as a church need to participate in the attainment of this peace. We have to get over a feeling of fear and trepidation and remember the strength that comes from the fortress of spirituality we possess. We have to bring this traditional spirituality to the fore and deepen it among the faithful and those who approach the church. This is what the world is waiting for.

Thursday, July 19, 2018

How to Deal With Exposure on SNS

In an age of speaking one's mind, SNS presents an easy means to legitimize the truth seen by the underdog or the strong, male and female, liberal and conservative. In most cases the situation is never clearly presented and not enough information is given to understand the context. A religious sister who is the director of a spirituality center examins the way we are to respond.
 

At times it is difficult to grasp the nature of the incidents that are presented to the viewers in cyberspace. Information is revealed only on one side and usually not enough information is presented to understand the situation. Our brains tend to simplify the reality, overlook the truth and listen and respond to what I want to see and hear.
 

A famous writer after revealing something about a certain incident in which an acquaintance was involved did not receive a call from the acquaintance. The reason he believes was that he would be shaken. A firm conviction can often be shaken by a voice in a telephone call.
 

We are more courageous in cyberspace with no expressions or voices, very different from face to face contact. Since it is invisible it can easily be more intense and overcome with feelings. It is the only method for those who have been treated unjustly to feel the freedom to resist: women against men the weak against the strong.
 

The writer mentions how one of her acquaintances had an SNS fight with one of her subordinates. Her acquaintance had to deal with falsehood and exaggeration and suffered great embarrassment. The other party was joined in the attack by followers, the acquaintance was condemned and made to appear ridiculous. Her acquaintance used reasonable arguments but the subordinate was using emotional arguments and her acquaintance made an effort to respect the other person with reason and tempered expression but wasn't able to overcome the feeling of unfairness experienced by the subordinate. For such a person the rational expressions of the other person are just cold, and empty. No matter who is right if there is no sympathy for your situation the rational proposal is intimidating and insulting.
 

The process of exposing and ridiculing the mistakes of the strong in society gives pleasure to the viewers. The group attacks that often follow become addictive and give to many a feeling of catharsis.
 

Unfortunately, nowadays, priests and religious people are seen as the strong and the vested ones in society. Of course, concern for the poor continues but it is also true that we have power as leaders in a community.
 

Therefore, in the course of leading a group, if someone enters and expresses: "I am a victim, it is unfair," the standard of right and wrong often seems  no longer valid. It is only necessary to communicate with the 'feelings' that are unfair.
 

When the grievance and unfairness get bigger, counterattacks, insanity, and anything goes. There is only a fierce court battle that remains but the wounds are large for both sides and last a long time.
 

When we have a dislike for someone we don't care to live uncomfortably in that situation. However, sympathy is one of the best helps in communicating, consequently, the best way is to find a way to compromise on the way to the court (Matt. 5:25).

Tuesday, July 17, 2018

When Weak I am Strong (2 Cor. 12:9)

This year we are celebrating the Jubilee of the Laity which began on  Laity Sunday last year and will continue until November 18 of this year. This year is the 50th anniversary of the Lay Apostolate Council of Korea; a year spent studying the place of the laity, their role, and evaluation within the church. An article in a bulletin for priests expresses the views of one priest.

The laity in Korea has a unique history, however, looking over the statistics of the church, Catholics are very similar to the other countries of the world. Laypeople were without their own priests for 60 years. They brought the faith to the country and nourished it without the help of the clergy and with thoughts of a martyrs' death the community of faith continued to grow.

Influence of society is present but in the eyes of many, the laity are not able to express their vitality, take their rightful place in the church, but remain passive. St. John Paul II called them the sleeping giant. They need to be awakened. Why is that the situation that we find so often?
 

We use the word community so often that the word loses its meaning. Team and partnership are words we hear in society and business but rarely within the church. If we imported these words we would look at the work we faced differently. We use the words unity, cooperation, interchange, fellowship and the like expressions but they don't move us—distant ideals. Partnership when used, connotes equality, mutual responsibility and solidarity in the work. A more intense feeling of working together. St. Paul in Corinthians used this meaning when talking about the analogy of the body.
 

Searching for a true community is not easy. It is easy to see the working together as more convenient,  profitable, efficient means to an end. However, a real community when achieved is the medium projecting love and unity. Desire and vitality are nurtured and the  community evangelizes as a community. The Holy Spirit with obstacles removed is free to move the community. The community becomes an end in itself—presence of Jesus.
 

In society, without partnership, we have little development. In the church, we don't lack partnership but it is not easily seen. It is not a central feature of our mentality. In May of this year, the International Theological Commission said any process of discernment should begin with a consultation of the laity and they need to be given more space in the church where they can express themselves.
 

There is a need they said to overcome a clerical mentality that risks keeping them at the margins of church life. It is true that the laity in our tradition don't have the right to vote but when the clergy as lone rangers go about their work without consultation with the laity this is often the results. The laity are not only in the church but are the church said St. John Paul II in Christi Fidelis. In the Church's law and tradition, the laity only have the right to propose but there is no law that prevents the clergy from sharing their authority.
 

The clergy needs to show they can't do the work they have been entrusted, alone. The laity are the partners in the work given to the church. St. Teresa  of Calcutta is quoted as saying: "I can do something you can't and you can do something I can't, together we can do great things." Would it not be a big step to have this as a motto for our faith communities?

Sunday, July 15, 2018

One of the Results of a Low Birth Rate

On the opinion page of the Catholic Peace Weekly, a senior journalist writes about the decrease of the birth rate and the impact on society. He recently attended a lecture at a high school and spoke with the principal, teachers, and parents. At first, the conversation was about the career path of the high school students but passed to the issue of elementary and junior high schools in the countryside.
 

The problem is the lack of students because of the low birth rate in the country. One of the middle schools with the smallest number of students was 13 and there are 16 staff members. At some other middle schools there were only 18-35 students, in the past these schools had 300 to 500 students.
 

It would seem that if the number of teachers and students were such that you have one on one you would have more interest in the needs of each student and more learning. One student's mother responded that people who speak this way don't know what they are talking about.
 

When you have so few students socializing is a problem and you are in a situation where you are competing with friends from elementary school. Parents have a problem with sending their children to such a school. This is a problem not only in the country. This year's school population was 8,240,000 which is a decrease of 5,444,000 from 1988.
 

In June the Ministry of Education completed the evaluation of 323 universities nationwide including 40 colleges and vocational schools. Universities that received bad grades in the second evaluation which ends in August will be sanctioned and reduced in their capacity and financial support ended. 
 

The reason is to reduce the admission quota of college students in line with the decline in the school-age population. In 2015, the number attending universities was 530,000 this will decrease to 240,000 in 2023.  No signs of improvement in the future. 

The number of children born last year was only 358,000 and this year at most 320,000. The number of babies born in April of this year was only 27,700  so this year the birth rate even lower than last year which was the lowest recorded.
 

This will also affect the universities run by the church. The question is what will happen when the ripple effect reaches these schools. The average number of new students in the seven Catholic seminaries nationwide including the Catholic University is significantly below the quotas. The average was 53% percent lower than the quota and in a few, it was 30%. The recruitment rate occupies a large percentage of the total score of 76 points in the evaluation.
 

Although the Catholic and other religious groups claim that it is necessary to consider the circumstances of each university since theology schools only have one department; it is unlikely this will be accepted by the Ministry of Education.   

The situation in the universities will continue to deteriorate with the passage of time. The low birth rate will have serious repercussions and one of the signs is when you have more staff than students. This will require preemptive measures for Catholic seminaries with low recruitment rates.

Friday, July 13, 2018

Laughter Is A Massage for the Soul


Persons who easily laugh are blessed. Bright smiles bring light and peace to his spirit, says the writer of an article for a diocesan bulletin. As he gets older he feels the need for this boost to the spirit. Those working in the public sector of society, a smiling face is stressed and our writer tried hard to do so.
 

He was faced with a difficult situation. He was asked for a photo and went to a studio and asked for a smiling face. The photographer said he would take 10 pictures and he was to select the one he liked. He spoke the words 'kimchi and whiskey' but the photographer shook his head and said: "Sir, your smile just doesn't work." Looking at the photos, the lack of practice just left the face stiff and hard, it was hard to look and felt embarrassed.
 

From that day on he stood before the mirror practicing how to smile. He also started to read books on laughing. Many were the clear statements on smiling and laughter and lists the ones meaningful to him.
 

"Laughter is a massage for the inner life." For that person laughter makes his loneliness bearable and even reaches down to his soul.
 

"Laughter is a journey to eternity." Heaven is not far distant. A smile gives one a taste of heaven.
 

"Smile is an international passport." Without knowledge of languages with a knapsack, a person feels free to travel to many countries. A smile more than words is able to move a person's heartstrings.
 

"The difference between heaven and hell is the difference between laughter and no laughter."  No place is easier to go to than heaven.
 

"A day without laughter is a day lost." The times we wish to forget are those without laughter. My stern face how tired it has made you.
 

"I was joyous and so I laughed is not the order, but rather I laughed and became joyous." Laughter is a decision—training. Loving the person you love, who is not able to do that?
 

"Laughter is the power of my competitive edge." When I am lonely and feel alienated all I have to do is look into the mirror to know the reason. I can live with a fox-like woman but never a bear.
 

"A pig head with a smile gets a better price."Only humans can laugh.
 

The opposite of laughter is not crying but lack of interest and rejection and in time may lead to a break in a relationship. A person with a continual smile on his face is a good person. A person with a  warm smile and kind words on their lips, have discovered one of the secrets of life.
 

Our writer finishes his article with the confession that he is still not able to smile easily and naturally. He meets others habitually with a blank look on his face. He remembers a story about a salesman, always busy and arriving home late at night. Although tired when he arrived at the front door he would take a deep breath, prepare his attitude, and tells himself he will be meeting the last customer of the day.

Wednesday, July 11, 2018

Spiritual Life and Young Koreans

 For some time now the young people have been moving away from the church. Preparation for employment, many external reasons have brought about alienation from the community of faith but also a weak faith life is also a consideration. Even though this is a reality the spiritual longing remains within, consequently the need for the church to provide spiritual care in experiencing the joy of the faith. Articles in both Catholic papers bring this situation to the attention of the readers often.

When students they concentrated on their studies. In the past they had a vague hope that they would join a good company if they graduate from college and the future would take off from there. But after the economic recession, young people dream of a stable income instead of a specific goal or dream. Besides economic factors, other social realities are helping to change the lives of the young people.
 

Young people in the church also can't escape the social influence. According to the National Statistical Office, the unemployment rate in South Korea which was 7.6 percent in 2012 rose to 9.8 % in 2017.  This is in contrast to the gradual decline in the OECD average youth unemployment rate and contrasted with Japan which declined from 6.2% to 4.7% in 2017. The population of the young people is decreasing but the number competing for jobs has increased but we see a decline in the creation of jobs and a decrease in the number of the elderly who are retiring.
 

The difficulties of the young are not only economic but psychological. College students are dealing with academic work, part-time job, and preparation for the job market. Campus life for the young is far from a romantic time. In a survey made in 2016, the number going to Sunday Mass was 55% and not attending was 22%. Preparation for employment takes all their time.
 

In s previous Catholic Student Council survey, 37.42% of the respondents answered that the big problems are those that come from within and not the external ones. These are the ones that make them unhappy, followed by 'problems from human relations' and 'insecurity'.
 

It's a fact that during the difficult times of the IMF the numbers coming to the church increased and the young people are no exception they desired a place in which to rest. The worries about employment are only one of the problems they face.
 

One priest working with the young feels the problem is that many of the young have no foundation in their faith because of the emphasis on school and their studies from an early age. When knowledge of faith grows from being near to nothing; they still have to live with stress the placing of their internal spiritual life on the back burner remains there as they grow in age. They never experienced the joy of being a Catholic. Those who had a family with a strong faith life were able to make the transition in difficult times with the support of the family.
 

Authorities both in and outside the Church acknowledge that the situation of the young people in society is formidable. But there is definitely hope. Those who have experienced the joy of the spiritual  life continue no matter how difficult.
 

Young people also want to solve their difficulties with their faith. They need to solve these problems through spiritual care. In addition, empathy towards the young and dialogue with the young people at eye level, is necessary for those working with the young.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Teaching Rather than Buildings

In the secular press, an article by the religious journalist of the paper headlines the article: the essence of religion is not buildings but teaching. Apparently, in his eyes, this was not what he saw and expresses his opinion.

The contrary opinion may be seen by the amount of money that is spent on buildings and compare it to the money spent on teaching.  Nonbelievers would no doubt think it better to spend the money on people directly rather than on buildings,  architecture and art. A simple answer would be interest in both but a community needs a place to meet and to hear the teachings.

He begins his article with a visit to a temple site that goes back over a thousand years to the Silla Dynasty. On a beautiful location remain two three story stone pagodas, the Buddhist service comes to mind but the area is now a place to play.No longer the place that it once was hundreds of years ago.
 

These are  the sights we see today in Europe. Churches that were built with great religious devotion are no longer used for such purposes but are sold and have other uses. This happens with a frequency that no longer makes it a news item.
 

Korea in the 20th century had a religious growth that was rare in comparison with other countries. However few are those who would not see the period of growth to have peaked. The drop in birth and the aging of the population has also affected the religious world. In Buddhism, the numbers who are entering the monastic life have dropped and you see posters inviting the young to the Buddhist way of life.

Protestantism has stopped their Sunday school programs in many places. Catholics have seen a drop to 20 percent of the Catholics going to Mass on Sunday and no signs for a future increase. The United States early on showed a disinterest in religion, still maintains a 40 percent Sunday attendance; this shows a quick decline of religious interest in Korea.
 

The banking system had no difficulty in lending money without security knowing the money was there from the collections and offering of the believers. From 1970-1980 was a period of much building. Many of the building were difficult to maintain. Some were built with great difficulty beyond the means of the community and brought about bankruptcy. The money to maintain the buidlings will be a problem in the future.The Buddhist have already set up a committee to make sure that the buildings will be maintained before approval is giving to build.

He mention a Protestant church that with growth had difficulty with parking and decided to extend the parking area  but  changed plans, no new members and spent the money in helping other small churches  and the elderly living alone, libraries for the young, the homeless.They chose to spend the money on the poor and disadvantaged in society.
 

For the most part according to our writer, the ordinary person is looking for better sermons, homilies, liturgies an inviting community and not magestic appearing buildings—the essence of religion, is not the building but the teaching.

Saturday, July 7, 2018

Words Can Change the World

A director of an academy for the teaching of non-violent communication writes in the Bible & Life about  a proper manner of communicating. She begins by telling the readers that what you say next can change your world.

She is using the teaching of Marshall Rosenberg in her approach to non-violent communication. Changing the world is not an immense  difficult task but one that begins with the words I choose to use. Once I understand the meaning of this I realize the power of words.

Non-violence has the same meaning that Mahatma Gandhi gave the word and its connection with compassion. The aim of non-violent conflict is to convert the other and win over their mind and heart. Non-violent approaches seek a 'win-win' solution.  


We often express our pain and deficiencies in speech. "I would wish that we were better at dialog and understanding each other," instead of: "let's divorce." If more often was heard I would like to live happily together. I am also distressed and in pain.  We would probably have fewer marriage problems. Many of our problems stem from a failure in compassionate communication.
 

Words that I use make the world in which I live. Words change the world in which I live. In communicating with others we need to learn how to respond to words of blame, demands, threats, comparisons, thoughtless words. This is necessary both for the good of the speaker and hearer.

In non-violent conversation instead of judging, (1) we begin by observing, (2) respond with my feeling,  (3) my need or desire (4) and formulate a request.


The first is to observe and not judge: "Why are you so selfish?" This is a judging and evaluating, rather: "You are eating the ice cream all alone,"  this is observing.
 

Secondly, the next step is to identify a feeling inside of you that is related to the observation. "Seeing you eat all the ice cream alone I was surprised."

The third step after observing and identifying the feeling you identify your need. "Mother wanted to have the ice cream shared with your brother" which expresses the person's desire.

The fourth step in non-violent communication is to formulate a request based on observations, feeling, and needs. With the ice cream problem, we can say: "next time you will have a concern to eat the ice cream with your brother, won't you?" A request can accept either a yes or no answer.


The writer concludes her words with a hope that we as  Christians reflect on the sufferings of Jesus and not just remain with the suffering but remember the love and to let that influence the words used that will change the world.

Thursday, July 5, 2018

Giving Hope to the Weak in Society

Writing in the Catholic Times on the opinion page, a college professor asks the readers if they are familiar with the 'new poverty'? In the 1960s and 70s, Korea was a poor country but the people had hope. If they worked hard they would overcome the period of eating barley and wait for a new day; with difficulty, parents sent their children to college and found happiness.

Today, however, the 'new poverty' doesn't nurture a hope in the future. The poor young people see Korea as 'Hell Chosun' for no matter how hard they work and sacrifice they won't find a job, will not be able to marry and find a house. The future is far from bright.

Adam Smith in the Wealth of the Nations talks about the invisible hand in the market. A person's greed works for the good of all. He sanctifies the working of the market but it is not the way a Christian looks at the market. The market at times is inhuman with the laws of the jungle operating—survival of the fittest. An example is where  knowledge of an area that is to develop, persons in the know and speculators with worldly shrewdness are ready to multiply their assets at the expense of the common good.

Recently we hear news of tenants using violence against owners. This is wrong but at the same time, a greater problem is the raising of rents at the descretion of the owners without any regulations. Presently there is no recognition of the blood sweat and tears of the small self-employed shop owner but only concern with the owners of the property.

We hear a lot about the raising of the minimum wage and the problems of the workers and the owners of these small businesses and forget the rents that are being paid to the owners of the buildings. Usually, the salary of workers should be sufficient to find a place to live but that is not the case. We need regulations and not allow the blind market to dictate direction.

Economy originally meant to govern the affairs of the world and help people. God wants us all to live decently. In the Old Testament, we have the concern for the weak: widows, children, foreigners and the alienated—the poor. They were the first concern of society. That was the reason for the year of Jubilee, a way of relieving the debts of all and give a new start.

Pope Francis in the Joy of the Gospel tells the Christians to be on guard against the dictatorship of neoliberalism in strong words. Money is the new capability. We ask for the grace of repentance so that our poor neighbors can live with hope in a just and equitable world. We don't want to see money as a solution to all our problems—market logic. We need to learn the path of love to face an uneasy future and not concentrate on filling our own pockets but desiring a  world where more opportunities are given to the poor and the alienated.

Tuesday, July 3, 2018

Enjoy Living Uncomfortably

From possession and consuming to temperance and sharing. The Catholic Times brings to the readers' attention the work needed to maintain a healthy environment. The article was triggered by the disturbance in the recycling of trash in Korea. 

A few days after the collection of trash stopped society began to look at the containers for the separation of the trash differently. The trash disturbance began on April 1, when recycling collectors in Seoul and the metropolitan area refused to collect recyclable plastic bottles and waste vinyl. The primary cause of the disturbance was China's discontinuance last July of importing over half of the world's trash such as plastic, vinyl, fiber, metal because of their own environmental pollution.

In Korea, too, the export of recyclable trash has been blocked, the profits of collecting companies dropped sharply, and the recycling collection companies refused collection of recyclable trash free of charge. Only a few days after the vendors stopped collecting we had the piling up of trash.
 

There was always a problem because recycled trash and garbage was not all recycled. Among the recycled trash and garbage in Korea, only 59% was recycled or composted, 16% went to landfills. The firm belief that recycling through proper separation and distribution contributes to a better planet is a 'half-truth'.
  

Already, environmental groups and civil society have long sought to reduce waste. Examples are the "zero-waste" movement, which minimizes the amount of waste generated in daily life and recycles only what is necessary. In 1988  the Catholic Lay Council recommended that all the parishes become involved in the 'anabada' movement: A (saving), Na (sharing) Ba (exchanging), Da (reusing).  

The Ministry of Environment's comprehensive measures is encouraging. The measures include refraining from excessive packaging, use of disposable cups at coffee shops and fast food stores, prohibition of free plastic bags at convenience stores and bakery shops, and use of umbrella plastic covers at public institutions.
 

The Church has for some years pushed the need to enjoy living uncomfortably.'Enjoying a certain amount of  discomfort' movement reflects the appearance of a society of excessive consumption and pursues a simple and frugal life that specifically lives on the words of Jesus that "the poor are happy." The key to  'enjoying discomfort' is seeing the need and the joy that comes with the simple life.

"Christian spirituality purposes an alternative understanding of the quality of life, and encourages a prophetic and contemplative lifestyle one capable of deep enjoyment free of the obsession with consumption." (Laudation Si #222).
 

We need to make  clear and conscious efforts to reduce waste. "Rather than looking for the next place to dump waste, advanced countries should bear the responsibility of cutting down on waste with sustainable practices." Sustainable living is the practice of reducing demand on natural resources by making sure that we try to replace what is used to the best of our ability. The article ends with a quote from a member of the social pastoral committee of the Seoul Diocese: "It is no longer a choice but a duty to live in a way that imposes a minimum burden on the natural ecosystem of God, the creature of God, and begin to enjoy a simpler life."

Sunday, July 1, 2018

Fake News And Trust

Fake news is a topic, prominent in many countries and Korea is no exception. It is a serious issue and one that will not disappear easily. The Catholic Newspaper Editing Committee met recently to discuss the issue and followed with a special article in the Catholic Times reflecting on what Pope Francis said in his message on World Communication Day.
 

"The term “fake news” has been the object of great discussion and debate. In general, it refers to the spreading of disinformation online or in the traditional media. It has to do with false information based on non-existent or distorted data meant to deceive and manipulate the reader. Spreading fake news can serve to advance specific goals, influence political decisions, and serve economic interests.The effectiveness of fake news is primarily due to its ability to mimic real news, to seem plausible.
 

Secondly, this false but believable news is 'captious, inasmuch as it grasps people’s attention by appealing to stereotypes and common social prejudices, and exploiting instantaneous emotions like anxiety, contempt, anger, and frustration. The ability to spread such fake news often relies on a manipulative use of the social networks and the way they function. Untrue stories can spread so quickly that even authoritative denials fail to contain the damage."
 

What is the Korean church doing in this area?  The Catholic Times has mentioned the topic often in articles and reports. The countermeasure against fake news is realizing the truth. Media literacy education is important but is there any organization within the church planning programs in media literacy education?  They were not familiar with any, consequently, it is the work of the Catholic press to gather experts and set up measures to educate believers in literacy education.
 

This is not a one-time event but with a long-term goal. Many groups within the church which are not officially approved by the church are deceiving many in spreading the fake news through SNS.They damage and cause harm to the entire church. The church's official media should help the believers to identify this false information. Wrong facts, distortion, poor reporting of the news should also be included in the fake news category.
 

An editorial evaluates facts and suggests alternatives  not theoretically but concretely. Often the content of the editorials was just a rehash of the articles. When embarrassing Catholic issues were mentioned in the secular press we have been passive and calm we concern ourselves only with countermeasures and results but skip the assessment and reasons for the situation.
 

Recently, the church has become quite diverse. One of the participants would like to propose fake news related planning in the second half of the year. Catholic newspapers should help believers identify fake news. For example, planned is training to identify false news, begin relevant seminars, and place the contents in the paper. 
 

The pope ended his message with a paraphrase of the Peace Prayer of St. Francis and a good meditation on what the aim should be in reporting news.

Lord, make us instruments of your peace.
Help us to recognize the evil latent in a communication that does not build communion.
Help us to remove the venom from our judgments.
Help us to speak about others as our brothers and sisters.
You are faithful and trustworthy; may our words be seeds of goodness for the world:
where there is shouting, let us practice listening;
where there is confusion, let us inspire harmony;
where there is ambiguity, let us bring clarity;
where there is exclusion, let us offer solidarity;
where there is sensationalism, let us use sobriety;
where there is superficiality, let us raise real questions;
where there is prejudice, let us awaken trust;
where there is hostility, let us bring respect;
where there is a falsehood, let us bring truth.
Amen.