In the 20th century, we have a different approach to cultures. The Gospel is not a culture but something that transcends cultures, and efforts should be made to find a way to the Gospels regardless of the culture of the country. This approach makes for a different way of transmitting the Gospel message and opens up wider horizons for mission work.
A sign of the success of the new approach was seen in China, where six bishops were installed in 1926, becoming heads of dioceses, and religious orders began to appear with their own leaders. This growth continued in the following years, and made for a great advance in mission studies.
It took the Korean Church 131 years, from 1831 when it became a Vicariate Apostolic, before it became a diocese in 1962. The Japanese Church was elevated in 1891, and China in 1946. Korea, since it had a formal hierarchy in 1962, was able to attend the Second Vatican Council.
The professor feels that the Vatican did not realize how far the Church of Korea had come, which was the reason, he believes, for the recent date for the elevation of the Korean Church to diocesan rank in 1962.
The inculturation of clergy was soon achieved and inculturation in other areas is continuing. This will enable the work of reform. However, the professor feels that the Church in Korea is still looked upon as immature, for it remains under the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and not under the Congregation for Bishops. The professor would like to know what are considered the signs of a mature Church. It seems to him an unmistakable fact that the Korean Church qualifies as a mature Church and should be under the Congregation for Bishops. He would like the matter reexamined by the specialists at the Vatican.
