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.
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.
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.
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.
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."
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.
We hear a lot about the 4th Industrial Revolution and where it will lead is everybody's guess. An article by a literary critic in the Catholic Peace Weekly wonders what it will mean for the Church. Korea has made the study of this new revolution a presidential committee—important for the future of the nation. What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution?
There are various answers. The first revolution was the mechanization of the steam engine; the second, electricity-oriented industrialization; the third, the computer and internet world of the latter half of the 20th century; the fourth artificial intelligence— information and communication technologies, machine autonomy. We have already seen how this is working in the world of today.
This will change our lives and the world. We will experience a new world, which the word revolution aptly describes. Whether it will be positive or negative is still being discussed. Many jobs will be lost, a fear that a few wealthy persons will monopolize the benefits, and the way we look upon humanity and human dignity will be shaken.
He mentions the bestselling author of Sapien (A Brief History of Humankind) and Homo Deus (A Brief History of Tomorrow) by Yuval Noah Harari, a bestseller also in Korea. Human beings become Gods. He quotes a passage from Homo Deus. "The next goal of humanity that has achieved unprecedented levels of prosperity, health, and peace will be immortality, happiness, and divinity. After reducing the mortality rate from hunger, disease, and violence, the task is to overcome aging and death itself. The next thing to do is to bring humanity out of the animal-level struggle for survival, to upgrade mankind to God, and to convert Homo sapiens to Homo Deus."
It is not difficult to connect this provocative and drastic insight of Harari with the fourth industrial revolution, especially with respect to the future and meaning of religion. Harari is quoted as saying: "Traditional religions may have been discarded, but new religions can replace them. In some cases, the existing religion adapts to the changing conditions and gains importance."
In the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, will people continue to seek religion? What is the role of the Church? The more information and communication technology expands and connects people to the cyberspace network, the more loneliness, and sense of alienation is felt by more people. Cyber relations are likely to flow into superficial pseudo-human relationships. There is also a possibility that not only personal relations but also social bonds and community characteristics are weakened.
The role of religion, especially the role of the church, may be found at this point. The pope spoke on video at the TED conference in Vancouver, Canada on April 25, 2017, on the theme of "revolution of tenderness." The Pope said: "How wonderful it would be if the growth of science and technological progress would invite equality, social cohesion, and engagement. When we are not only an "I" but a "You" a "We" the true revolution begins. We all need each other. "
