The Catholic Peace Weekly column by a priest working in the farm ministry of his diocese reminds us of what is happening in many farm areas of the world.
We see few newly baptized or new believers in rural parishes. The possibility of performing the sacrament of marriage or infant baptism is slim. On the other hand, the sacrament of the sick and funeral Masses continue steadily. The increasing number of empty seats in small rural churches is the biggest concern of priests.
The columnist has left the parish ministry and is now responsible for pastoral care for farmers. Activities and projects such as producer and consumer education, meetings, urban-rural exchanges and rural experiences, school meals, and local food issues continue. However, similar anxiety exists here as well.
The farmers are active, in their 70s, and are the last generation. There are younger members, but the numbers and production are decreasing. Without agricultural output, it is natural that everything in agriculture and rural areas will collapse.
This is not a problem limited to rural communities. All local cities except the metropolitan area are concerned about population decline, aging, and extinction. So, is the metro area stable? Due to population concentration, the burden of employment and housing is increasing, and the low birth rate is expanding. Although the population is relatively large, life in the metropolitan area could be more comfortable, too.
This is the current situation in our country. Rural areas are collapsing, and problems are spreading to local and even metropolitan areas. We must break away from the obsession with income and growth. Even if the profits are small, some values must be protected. Agriculture, which has a public function regarding food, security, and environmental conservation, cannot be evaluated solely by economics.
Some, fortunately, still seek to find a way through discussion, and agriculture continues to play a role in preserving communal traditional culture. Life-giving agriculture, which respects the organic order, can only be achieved by living in village communities and the local ecosystems.
Public goods in society, climate, environment, food, and housing, are essential for stability and happiness. Why are they refusing government intervention to guarantee the price of rice production as if the country is going to collapse? Endless competition and rapid growth will lead to mutual destruction in this era.
Looking at agriculture with the heart and farmers in rural areas, there is a sense of urgency. Regrettably, the world cannot escape greed despite going through Covid 19 and the climate crisis. Rather than trust technology to become prosperous alone, we must find wisdom and a way of life to live together. This is a task given not only to rural areas but to everyone.
In the subcommittee, they plan and adjust production plans, crops to be cultivated, and harvest quantities. During farming, they exchange technology and information. Some subcommittees engage in cooperative work through mutual aid, jointly purchasing and managing agricultural materials and machinery. They may also set common goals and proceed with joint cultivation. Some subcommittees have attended every monthly meeting for over 45 years. Although they have their own characteristics, limitations, and challenges, it is clear that they aim for a life community through committee activities.
We live in an era of rampant individualism, and people are unwilling to endure inconvenience. Interest in the community and region is disappearing in a society that only pursues personal salvation and inner stability. As agricultural machinery has become widespread and agriculture has become more large-scale, the communal aspect of rural areas has also changed.
Isn't one of the essential reasons life has become harsh and less enjoyable: the loss of community? Could it be because I have forgotten that I, too, grew up and was formed through family, neighbors, and village communities? In this era where we enjoy many things but have lost something important, the need for communal life feels more urgent. We must remember that our faith was also inherited and matured through the church community.
—This is a powerful and thought-provoking message. It highlights the importance of community, sustainability, and collective well-being over individual gain. How can we start making these changes in our daily lives?
