A Theological Research Institute director gives the readers of the Catholic Times some sad news on the situation of the Catholic Church in Korea.
Mass and gatherings have become freer in the parish churches since 'social distancing' was lifted in April, but the parishes don't feel as lively as they once did. Even though the sticker to sit at a distance from the person next to you disappeared, the vacant seat is still not filled. After Sunday Mass, people move off in a hurry, on weekends the inside and outside of the churches are quiet.
Researchers analyze that after the COVID-19 pandemic, the phenomenon of those leaving the church and religion and becoming indifferent to religion is intensifying in Korean society. It's not due to concerns about infection or health, but rather because religious interests and their pursuit among Koreans are gradually disappearing from their lives.
The longing to constantly question the fundamental meaning and value of life, such as why we were born, how to live the true life, and whether death will end everything, and the desire to find the answers in the teachings of our religion is now beyond many people's concern. Instead, what are the interests and longings that fill our hearts now?
Recently, there was a book called "People Leaving the Church," which was an in-depth interview with 8 people who had left or were about to leave the church from the Protestant side, so she read it with interest. Some of the people in this book are former pastors, and most of them, such as pastors’ wives, children, and missionary staff members, had close relationships with the church since childhood. They did not become atheists or give up on God but no longer wanted to remain in the church community.
Although the direct reasons and processes that led the people in the book to leave the church vary from one person to another, it was not that each individual lacked faith or lived a religious life from habit. Rather, their faith life was very important and they had very deep expectations and concerns for their spiritual life which were not satisfied.
Religious life did not give them freedom and joy but was filled with endless obligations and guilt. They asked questions not so different from nonbelievers. The community did not exhibit maturity nor gave them what they expected but rudeness, hurting others, constant hatred, and conflict."Is God in a church like this? Is it really the true life of faith and the true gospel that this church teaches and proclaims?"
Conversely, those who leave the church ask today's Christians: "What does it mean to be a Christian? Is the Church really where the love of God is experienced and proclaimed?" The fact that more and more people are leaving the church suggests that the question is not being answered properly, but this is not a situation unique to the Protestant Church.
According to the statistics of the Catholic Church in Korea, only 8.8% of the baptized believers participated in the Sunday Mass last year. Even before the pandemic, the participation rate for Sunday Mass was around 20%, so even after being baptized, 8-9 out of 10 believers do not come to church even in the Korean Catholic Church. Why are they leaving the church or are they vacationing for a time? If we listen to their stories, she thinks we will face some important questions the church is missing right now.
