Korea is cited often as a country with the fifth largest number of atheists. The last census showed the number of non-believers rose to 58.1 percent which number continues to grow. For the first time, officially, there are more Koreans who consider themselves non-believers than believers.
The numbers of believers in the 2005 census were 52.9% but in the latest census, the number was 43.9%. The Catholic Church's own statistics in 2017 registered 11.1 % of the population as Catholic but the 2015 census only registered 7.9% which is a more realistic figure.
Attempting to give an objective picture of the religious situation in Korea may be more difficult than many other countries. Shamanism is still strong within the country. This doesn't show on the census. Confucianism is considered a philosophy rather than a religion by many. Cultural Buddhists would very likely be missed in the census. Eight religions were listed on the census and a blank. Consequently the non-religious may not be what we may think.
The number of convinced atheists according to a 2012 Gallup International poll found that 15% of the population would be convinced atheists a figure which will continue to rise. An increase from a poll in 2005 which showed 11%, however, presently the atheists are not the militant type but this is beginning to change.
Where is Korean Catholicism heading? Korean Catholics visiting Europe do see a once thriving religious life that seems to be on life support. A reporter for the Catholic Peace Weekly recounts a visit to the eldest daughter of the church, France, on news coverage for the paper and her impression on the visit.
Are you Catholic? The answer should be 'Yes' or 'No' however, she says, this is not the case instead a long explanation. This she says was the consistent answer to her question.
She went to France last month to cover some of the less known religious shrines in the country. Many were enthusiastic about France's historic Catholic history and holy sites, but when it turned to their own personal faith the response was vague and half hearted. "I was baptized as a child and my whole family is all believers." Mimicking the words of a song: 'a believer and not a believer,' is her take on what she continued to hear. Some will tell you they don't go to church but they believe in God and live accordingly. They consider themselves believers.
They asked numerous questions about the Korean church and were surprised to hear that with so few Catholics Korea had a comprehensive media with TV, newspaper, and radio run by the church and the number of believers continues to increase. Jokingly they told her they should be giving them many of their empty churches.
She mentions that out of a hundred of the French young people 64 are non-believers, 23 are Catholic and 10 are members of the Islam faith. Why did the French leave the church? A valid question for the Korean church to ponder.
In March 1984, according to an article in the Catholic Peace Weekly a Canadian was the first Korean priest to visit North Korea after the division of the country. The following September Bishop Tji Hak-soun of the Wonju Diocese, a member of a group visiting relatives in the north, said Mass in the Pyongyang Koryo Hotel. This was the first time for a South Korean to say Mass in the North. In June of 1987 Fr. Chang-ik representing a delegation from the Vatican met some of the Catholics of the North.
At that time a church building committee was formed to build a church in the Pyongyang area. In March 1988 the construction of the cathedral began and on Oct 9th the Changchung church was completed. In June during the building of the church, the Korean Catholic Association was established. On Oct. 12, the first prayer meeting was held and Fr. Chang-ik and Fr. Chong on Oct. 30, and on All Saints Day said the first Masses as delegates of the Vatican in the new cathedral.
After that many Korean priests from other countries said Masses in the new church. In April of 1996 on Easter Sunday, Mass was said for peaceful unification and reconciliation of the nation in both Myeongdong, Seoul and the Changchung church of North Korea. The atmosphere for reconciliation blossomed with the beginning of the 'People's Government' in 1998.
On May 15, 1998, Bishop Choi chairman of the committee for National Reconciliation with 4 delegates visited the North. Two days later the bishop said Mass in the Changchung church. This can be considered the first Catholic pastoral visit of the South to the North. According to one of the monthly magazines, there are about 3000 Catholics in the North as of 2004, but some estimate it to be closer to 10,000 secret believers.
No priests have resided in the North since the Korean War and the division of the country. Every Sunday believers gather at the cathedral and have a mission station service which is conducted by the leaders of the community. Catholic foreign diplomats, foreign workers, and students staying in Pyeongyang often come to the church.The Changchung church has played a role in connecting the believers in the North with the South Korean Catholic Church, the Holy See and the Catholic churches abroad. This is the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Changchung Church.
Efforts to send a priest to the Changchung Church was initiated by the bishops of South Korea in 2015. An agreement was finalized to send a priest for the big feast days of the calendar but because of the political situation, not getting any better, it was never implemented.
In 2014 in Myeondong Cathedral, Pope Francis prayed: "May new opportunities for dialogue, and meetings to overcome the differences spring up. Let us pray that all Koreans who are all brother and sisters, members of the same family have the same perception of being one nation become widespread."
New opportunities have arisen since the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. North and South Korea are taking steps to resolve the problems separating the country. On April 27, the North-South summit was held and soon the North and American summit will take place. Is it too early to dream of a Mass of Peace and Reconciliation that the pope will deliver at the Changchung Cathedral? Dreaming alone is just a dream, but the dreams that everyone dreams bear fruit.
Limitation are often in the mind. For many years there was a 500-pound barrier in weightlifting and in running the four-minute mile but after Vasily Alekseyev broke the 500 barriers and Bannister the 4-minute mile others shortly followed. Each limit themselves in what they can do until someone goes beyond the expectations and we have another limit.
In a diocesan bulletin, the writer shows the readers how often we limit ourselves to what we determine. He continues with the motivational myth about the eagle's lifespan. With determination when the eagle's beak becomes bent and the talons can no longer grab the prey the eagle goes to the mountains, breaks its beak and plucks out its talons and feathers and after a few months is born again as a new eagle going on for another 30 years. We are all familiar with similar stories to motivate us, some true and some mere myths but they do motivate many.
Many things are needed to ascend from one plateau of achievement to another. Often this requires effort and a new way of thinking. The challenge and adventure required to overcome the present security and comfortableness is just too much.
Water boils at 100 degrees usually and one degree less will not do it. In life, there are many times that we will not make the extra effort to achieve our goal. This is both true in our daily life both in physical and spiritual matters.
In life, challenges and the joy of making a certain goal is more often met with frustration and giving up. Having few expectations is often the easiest way.
As we get older throughout the whole body we hear sounds of revolt; our heads are filled with worries and the future looks bleak. Exercise is limited, the muscular strength is weak and we give up, become exhausted.
In Galatians 6:9, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." We have many quotes from the saints and from the past that show us that giving up is not what a disciple of Jesus does.
"I plead with you- never, ever give up on hope, never doubt, never tire, and never became discouraged. Be not afraid." St. John Paul II
Stress is a part of life. The word is derived from the Latin word 'stringere', to draw tight. "No stress no strain no unusual moods stay loose but don't fall apart at the seems" is good advice but life has stress both the good and bad and we are not always able to distinguish.
A writer in a diocesan bulletin introduces the readers to a Nobel laureate from Canada who spent a great deal of his life making a study of stress. Dr. Hans Style defined stress as "the non-specific response of the body to any demand for change". He gave the valedictory address at Harvard and received a standing ovation. As he left the podium and on his way out a student blocked his path and asked: "Dr. we are inundated with stress factors in our society, teach us the way to overcome the stress of life."
He returned to the microphone and answered with one word: appreciation—recognition and enjoyment of the good qualities of someone or something. We can substitute the word gratitude for appreciation. Nothing compares to the cleansing and healing properties of a thankful outlook on life.
Religious people according to our writer have a longer life span since they are thankful for what they have received. This has been proved in studies made. Efforts are made to remove the evil effects of the seven capital sins. The moment we express thanks the serotonin comes rushing into our bodies giving health.
One of the writer's friends recommended she write down 100 reasons to be thankful. In the beginning it was difficult to even list 10, she writes, but shortly she found the words coming quickly to her mind and saw it all as grace.
The French author Jules Renard who had a weak constitution would every morning on awakening give thanks. "I can see, ears hear, my body moves, my spirit is good, thanks, life is beautiful." When I see this prayer the writer says her body wants to give thanks. Every morning she gets up and begins to walk she is thankful.
The writer wants to change the direction of her life. She wants to be satisfied with what she has and share with others her blessings. More than asking to obtain, she wants to be thankful for what she has, thankful for what she received from others and from God. She wants to begin to see things from God's vantage point and grow to a more mature religious life.
Each year at this time we have Catholic statistics published which
are utilized in pastoral work. Both Catholic papers gave a review of the statistics.
In the year 2017 for the first time the
percentage of believers to the total population has risen to 11%.
However, the growth rate from 2008 has been steadily decreasing and last
year it was only 1.3%. The ratio of believers to the local population
was highest in Seoul.
The number of older believers continues to increase. Male believers number 42.5 % and female number
57.5 %. The percentage of female is higher in almost all ages except
for the 20 to 24 age group in which men outnumber the women and this is
the highest percentage of all age groups in comparison to the women
because of the evangelization in the military. Those between 10 and 19
(children and adolescents) accounts for only 6.6 % of the total.
55.8%
of the believers live in the metropolitan area. The numbers of those
baptized in 2017 totaled 96,649 people a decrease of 12.4 % from the
previous year. In the age groups except for the ages of 75 to 79 all
the numbers have decreased from the previous year. All the other
sacraments have also shown a decrease. The number of marriages continues
to decrease; in 2013 for the first times it was under 20,000. 2017 was
the lowest with 15,842. Marriages in society from 2008 have decreased
by 19.3 % but the church marriages decreased 39.5%.
The
reception of the Sacraments all show a decrease. Mass attendance
increased by 0.9% from the previous year. The Mass attendance has
continued to decrease since 2010. Elementary Sunday school attendance
decreased 1.2% from last year; middle school 5.9% and high school decreased 9.2%.The number of parish priests in oversea mission has increased 113.5 %.
There
are a total of 5360 clergy, two Cardinals, 42 bishops, 5160 Korean
priests and 158 foreign priests an increase of 159. Although in certain
dioceses an increase is seen, overall there was a decrease.
Korea
has 17,176 religious in 176 congregations. The number of male religious is the largest number in the last 10 years but the women are
the lowest since 2011.
The number of countries in which
the Korean church sent missionaries overseas increased to 82 countries.
Over the past decade the number of missionaries continues to increase with the largest number 109 in the Philippines. There are now 1734 parishes in Korea.
More people are living alone for various reasons: divorce, death, freedom, family problems and many others. One out of four households is a person living alone. Can we consider this situation abnormal? Do we not need pastoral concern for this new reality? An article in the Catholic Times visits this issue and gives the readers an idea of where we are now in society where the numbers living alone continue to grow.
Miss Kim is a computer programmer with 15 years of experience. She is able with difficulty to live alone with her income. More than half of her ten college classmates are still not married. She left home 7 years ago because her mother wanted her to marry and she had no desire to raise a family in the hell like situation of education in Korea. She borrowed some money and bought a small apartment.
Mr. Lee is 26 without a full time job; with odd jobs is trying to make money to go to graduate school. He finds it difficult to pay rent and live on the odd jobs he finds. He still needs help from his parents. Thinking of marriage is not possible.
Mr. Park divorced five years ago. He is 55 and failed in his business, in debt, fortunately his children are married and not a concern. He eats at a convenience store so no fear of malnutrition and works in a nearby sauna. He says he is comfortable living along.
Voluntary or involuntary many are in a situation where they live alone in office buildings, one-room and two room apartments. Korean society has gone from the extended family to the nuclear and now the beginnings of the living alone households. Eating alone, drinking alone, "you only live once", and TV programs which portray the lives of those living alone reflect the favorable view of this life style with many.
The increase in single person household is a world wide trend due to the change in the status of women in society, the welfare system, the new information technology and our aging society. Many older people who have lost their mate prefer to live alone than with their children who in most cases take care of the parent.
The traditional family of father, mother and children remains the main concern of the church. However, considering the single person household as abnormal is not the response of the church. The need remains to show the value of marriage and need for the sanctification of the family, and at the same time to be concerned with those who for one or other reason choose to live alone. This is a new pastoral challenge.
The fact is that those voluntarily living alone for the most part still pursue community values. They do not want to live in isolation. Many are involved in regular meetings with friends, club activities and on line networks and those with problems want to get out of that situation. Even if more people are living alone, community is still an important element of life. The need is present to implement the possibilities of community life which acknowledges the single living style.
A Korean proverb well known in society has a lot to say to us. "If a cousin buys land our tummies hurt" (Envy). It's normal to celebrate when a person close to us does something good or is blessed but as we know that is not always the case. Why is this true? Our dispositions are often fickle due to original sin and not easily overcome. Is it because we are afraid that the cousin will eventually take away our land?
In the Peace Column of the Catholic Peace Weekly, the columnist describes the situation in Korea with the North-South relationship. After the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the situation changed rapidly. The historic inter-Korean summit is now in sight (The leaders of South and North Korea sat down at the table for the first inter-Korean summit in 11 years yesterday at 10:16 am on April 27, 2018. South Korean President Moon Jae-in and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un sat across from each other and chatted preparing for the summit).
The flowers of hope are beginning to bloom. A week before the inter-Korean summit, North Korea unanimously adopted a ban on nuclear and missile tests. In response, our army stopped broadcasting with their speakers to the North. Discussions on Northeast Asian cooperation and the Korean Peninsula New Economy Initiatives are also emerging.
If the inter-Korean summit is to achieve the desired results it will lead to a successful North Korean and US summit and we hope that the Korean peninsula will come to an historical turning point where we will see reconciliation, exchange, and cooperation.
Of course, we don't want to rush into optimistic thinking. We are apprehensive about the North's attitude and we need to be on our guard and not reduce our vigilance and pay close attention to the texts. However, as a lawyer said 20 years ago avoiding and opposing the North-South unification is harming both the North and South. When no harm is done to the South and we say it is only helping the North, is that not the situation of a cousin buying land and we having a bellyache?
We need to accept the wind of change on the Korean Peninsula and not give in to the idea that it will hurt us. We need peaceful coexistence not war. It is reconciliation, not confrontation, interchange and cooperation, not disconnection. The North-South summit should be the stepping stone for the North Korea-US summit.
He finishes the column with a hope that we will continue praying for peace and reconciliation on the peninsula until the day when true peace and reconciliation is realized in this land.
/arc-anglerfish-tgam-prod-tgam.s3.amazonaws.com/public/DOJLX5PBKJJHXGGPPY7E35GTSE.jpg)