Social Justice And Religion

In the Catholic Times a one time journalist who is still teaching reviews his religious life and gives us some thoughts to consider as Christians. Namely that even if we are in the same family we don't all think the same. And this is the same for those who belong to the same family of faith.

Even if you look at the members of the long-standing Catholic press conference. The same beliefs and vocation are the same, but the results of those beliefs are slightly and at times greatly different. There may be several causes. The religious background of the family, the environment of growth and education, the ideological orientation of the media in which they belong….

Many of the members of the Catholic Press Association have taken religious education classes in seminaries and many were members of old Catholic families. He suspects this is true of other religious movements. They not only learned about the Bible and the liturgical and sacramental life but from the trends in each diocese and parishes from which they belong.
   
"This being the case Who am I?" The writer wants to ask and gives us his answer. In his family tree, on both sides of the family, it is difficult to find any Catholics or Protestants.  Even in his wife's family, it is the same, one does not find persons who believed in Jesus. Most of them were descendants of strong Confucianists or Buddhists. So, when he was hanging out with journalists, he was like a bean among the barley.

In 1995, when 43 years old, during a year of training at the University of Cleveland in the United States, a local Christian brought him to the cathedral. Surprised, shortly after he began attending a 6-month catechumen class and was baptized.
 
Before he went to America, he was exhausted both in body and mind. As the head of the labor union of a newspaper company, it was very difficult to fully agree with the labor-management negotiations following the struggle to reinstate five fellow journalists who were dismissed. The persecution and betrayal he experienced through the process brought about a change in the way he saw the world and others.
   
Baptism was a turning point in his life. After he returned home, he was very devout.  He attended the 'Faith School' hosted by the Journalists Association, where he first became acquainted with the 'Social Doctrine' of the church. Lectures on social doctrine were decisive in identifying and shaping his faith. 
 
The liturgical and sacramental life is present but the social doctrine taught him that the liturgy and sacraments are not all that make up the religious life and he can realize the evangelical values and ​​offer up the Mass in all the areas of life.
   
The tasks associated with the social doctrine were also similar to those in journalism his professional calling. As the Gospel shows, it is "the duty of just social action," to fight in the name of justice for the common good when social, economic, and political structures contradict the message of the gospel.

Suddenly, his eyes lit up. Working as an editorial board member, he piled up social doctrine books in his office and studied. Also, at the meeting, when the editorial committee members proposed a thesis topic and had a discussion, explanations were based on the logic of social doctrine studied in advance. In this way, the thesis and direction of the newspaper on various social issues such as 'opposition to the death penalty' and 'life ethics' were made clear.

He found that few of the members of the parish knew about the social doctrine. Even though there are many educational programs in the parish, he doesn't see any social catechism classes. Even among members of the journalist society, he has heard  'red-education' referring to social doctrine.
 
In his view, such persons' common focus in the religious life is the liturgy and sacraments: praying for 'health and happiness of family and the development of the country', and diligently doing acts of charity. These people are referred to as 'zealous believers'.  ( He doesn't know why they are labeled zealous persons as if they are following the traditional authentic Christianity)

These people have something in common in that, they try to restrain others from talking about the signs of the times and the problems of the community with 'don't talk politics'.
 
"Am I a more zealous believer?" No, he is not ready to say that. He just knows that Jesus is with him and leading him in his daily circumstances.

Looking at the South/North Korea Situation

The most difficult part of studying North Korea is to understand its internal politics because there is no way to obtain information. So begins an article in the Catholic Times on North Korea by a researcher. 

It is not the same as South Korea, where the minutes of the National Assembly are released and the press briefings of the Blue House are known. Therefore, the method of studying a political system, such as North Korea, where it is difficult to obtain internal information, they utilize "Kremlinology," As the name suggests, it is a method of analyzing media coverage in the West of the Cold War to grasp the situation inside the  Kremlin.

The researcher emphasizes that it is really difficult to analyze and predict North Korea's behavior. In the past month, speculations and opinions have come and gone about North Korea's bombing of the inter-Korean contact office in Kaesong and the harsh language against the South Korean government and leaders. However, it is necessary to be cautious in making a judgment on the meaning of the events.

Kim Yo-jong the first vice director of the  Workers' Party of North Korea, why is she making her appearance beside her brother Kim Jong-un?  Why at this time? What is the ultimate purpose of the action? And why are they so sensitive about the South sending leaflets to the North? Many are the questions that we can continue to ask about the behavior of the North. Not to one of them are we able to give a confident answer. South Korea is not the only country dealing with the North. The United States and China, the latter an ally, both have a powerful intelligence capability but a difficult relationship with the North.

In any case, North Korea's military action plan against South Korea was put on hold because of Kim Jong-un's absence (?). The scene of the explosion of the inter-Korean contact office in Kaesong was terrifying. Nevertheless, the hope the researcher saw was that, unlike the nasty talk from North Korea, it was only property damage. She has no desire to lessen the harm that was done and the serious monetary loss of 17 billion won that disappeared, at least this time persons were not hurt.

During the 70 years since the war on the Korean Peninsula broke out, the bad times between the North and South have been more numerous than the good times. The recent incident with the destruction of the Inter-Korean contact office was not one of the worst.

Although we continue to complain of the incidents, accidents that occurred on the Korean Peninsula during the Cold War, the inter-Korean relations are clearly improving. Since the sinking of the Cheonan and the shelling of Yeonpyeong Island that occurred 10 years ago, and the DMZ incident in the DMZ five years ago, the inter-Korean relations are steadily improving even though slowly. 

Looking at issues on the Korean Peninsula in June, the writer recommends we pay attention to the subtle differences between worst and less worst rather than criticizing that the efforts have been meaningless in inter-Korean relations. We can have hope from this difference and be patient. "Because patience brings perseverance, and perseverance brings hope..." (Romans 5, 4).

Lack of Empathy In Life

A university professor columnist writing in the Peace Weekly, tells the readers that since the corona outbreak, she has lived with fear and with the will to live at the same time. The fact that anyone can be infected with the virus at any time sparks fear, and that is why her instinct to enjoy being alive at this moment is fanning her desire to live.

Instinct transcends good and evil. The propositions we hold dear often continue to transcend good and evil. Despite the experts' diagnosis that the second wave of the pandemic has already begun, the fact that the restoration and recovery strategies aimed at the 'post corona' era are mentioned is consistent with the logic that 'the living must go on living'.

She recently read Tolstoy's War and Peace again. The grand narrative novel set in the background of Napoleon's "War of the Fatherland" in 1812, in which the protagonist Pierre survives the tragedy of the terrible war and grows internally is central to the narrative.
                                                                                                                                                  
According to statistics, to date, 520,000 people have died from coronavirus worldwide, and far more are suffering from disease, personal loss, and unemployment. The word 'Endless War' against invisible enemies enters our thinking. Pierre, who survives the war, breaks through the boundaries of the novel and slowly enters the professor's world, our present reality.

Pierre is captured by the French army and is housed in the barracks. There, he revives under the care of fellow prisoner, an illiterate farmer Karataev. From this wise and innocent farmer, Pierre learns to accept, endure, and love everything in life. Karataev is his benefactor and teacher.

However, the way he says goodbye to Karataev is sad. The retreating French troops are killing the sick and weak Russian prisoners to increase their mobility. It is clear to anyone that Karataev, who is old and weak and is likely to fall out of the march, will be killed. Karataev, who is about to die, continues to send messages to Pierre with his eyes, but Pierre pretends not to see. After some time, a gunshot rings from the back. Pierre never looked back after that. He limped and climbed the hill.

The ability of the novelist is shown in just two sentences of the novel. Pierre's situation is not unfamiliar. Where is the battlefield? Even in ordinary daily life, weak, sick people, and those who live with danger die, and healthy, not so good, and lucky people live. Neighbors go out of business, friends hurt, people fail, families suffer from illness, and many die slowly. Nevertheless, we continue to live. Sometimes we turn away from a person's hungry eyes. This is because instinct chooses survival.

However, even if you can't look back, you can't any longer walk lightly as on a picnic. You may have to climb the hills, limping for the rest of your life. Perhaps it is politeness on the part of those who have survived to limp for those who are not able.

Some survive because they are strong. However, it seems to be better to live limping than to hate yourself. Limping is realized in thousands of different ways. Enjoying a little less, seeking less the pleasures of life, making more concessions, serving a little more, and being more grateful are ways of limping.

No, Woman, No Cry

In the Catholic Times' Eyes of the Believer column, a religious sister remembers her visit to the War and Women's Human Rights Museum. At that time she listened to the music that gently entered her and the whole museum. 'No, Woman, No Cry' by Bob Marley was the symbol of peace and resistance in Jamaica. The 'Woman' of the song symbolized Jamaica, a poor country, or any people who are exploited.

The song contains memories and hope for all. While she listened to the song, the background of a video, she remembered the woman victims of wartime violence and sexual exploitation with reverence. 

The museum was built in 2012 as a space for education and memory to solve the problems of the Japanese 'comfort women'— remembering the history of the victims of war and to help future generations to work together through education on these issues. Many students and young people have visited since its establishment: a great educational space that nurtures human rights' sensitivity and desire for peace. 

In particular, there is a guide to the "Butterfly Fund" on the first floor where the song flows through the building. On World Women's Day 2012, two grandmothers expressed their willingness to donate in full to women victims of wartime sexual violence, if they were legally compensated by the Japanese government. So was born the 'butterfly fund' which has helped many women around the world, as in the Congo and Vietnam, and has become a holy example to show that the grandmother victims are now reborn as subjects of hope.

There is another field of "Human Rights Peace Education", which is a hope for future generations. On Wednesdays, over the past 30 years, there is a statue of a girl in front of the Japanese Embassy where demonstrators meet to remember the women who were sex slaves during the War.

With the correct historical perception of the comfort women issue, she sees students and youth make the protest scene lively. Even though the grandmothers are gradually leaving us, they are moved by the thought that this space in the future will be filled with young people. However, it was very painful to see the demonstrations recently disfigured by a lack of discretion on the part of a few. 

   

The religious sisters have continued to participate regularly each Wednesday for 25 years since 1995. After the courageous testimony of Kim Hak-soon for the first time in 1991, the religious sisters resolved to join hands with the grandmothers. Sisters at that time gathered at the Myeong-Dong Cathedral and held a prayer meeting for the victims. Immediately afterward, they marched in silence to the Japanese Embassy and the next day delivered a letter to the Japanese Prime Minister. We will continue to be with the grandmothers who have courageously witnessed the pain of war crimes by Japan, until the honors of the grandmothers are restored, Japan's acknowledgment of war crimes, true apology, and legal compensation. 

Occasionally, senior peace activists from Japan also participate in the Wednesday demonstrations, and they always appreciate the students who come. She hopes these students will now go beyond Korea, in solidarity with human rights peace activists around the world, including Japan, to work for peace, against violence, and to stand out as a worker in the world where everyone can enjoy universal human rights.

Lastly, she expresses sincere gratitude to the grandmother activists, who have devoted themselves to achieving true peace through their pains, and to many activists who have been with them for a long time. And she finishes—

Everything’s gonna be all right! No, woman, no cry!

Fear for an Increase of Middle Aged Suicides In Korea

A seminar on Corona 19, middle-aged suicide, and the role of the religious community was held recently in Seoul and reported on by the Catholic Times. Representatives from different religious groups presented the direction that each group is making and the results and prospects for the future.

Participants debated the importance of suicide prevention activities in 'religion' while discussing the subject of Corona 19, middle-aged suicide, and the role of the religious community.

With the prolonged coronavirus situation, concerns about increases in suicide among middle-aged people are growing. It was pointed out that the middle-aged, the main axis of the family and society, is at risk of suicide due to the economic downturn.

One of the participants said: "The suicide rate is not increasing at the moment due to the overall tension in society but in 2-3 years we will know the reality" The suicide rate after the onset of Corona19 was similar to the previous year, but experts at home and abroad say that Corona19 will increase the suicide rates.

Indeed, others have predicted that the economic difficulties and social isolation caused by Corona19 in April of this year will affect the risk of suicide. The Committee for Suicide Prevention Policy under the Prime Minister also predicted at the meeting of the committee held on May 27: "Isolation may increase due to economic difficulties and social distance, and this will increase the risk of suicide of those in their 40s and 50s."

Another panelist said that the increased use of smartphones and computers during this Corona 19 era will tire the mind, harm health, and cause emotional anxiety and loneliness. He also said that the middle-aged generation, with the burden of supporting parents and children, is faced with difficulties and not old enough to be cared for by the government. The economic difficulties will continue for some time after the end of Corona 19.

Participants stressed the importance of religious roles to prevent suicide risk. It is a request on the religious communities in resolving depression, and stress when the government cannot financially support the many remedies necessary caused by the harm of Corona 19. A professor of psychology said: "I think the place where the greatest role should be played is in the religious world." Religious institutions can play a pivotal role. It is a place where social isolation is prevented, and there are many teachers to rely on.

One of the Catholic participants said that they will actively cooperate with suicide prevention through such measures. The Church teaches that one should not take his own life and the need to restore the family so that it will not collapse, an effective way to prevent suicide, and supply a basic emotional support network so that middle-aged will not be driven into suicide.

Corona Online Pastoral Culture

With the current Corona 19 pandemic, news that the number with the virus in the world exceeds 10 million is depressing. In Korea, the discussion on "restricting the operation of religious facilities" is always present. The Eyes of the Believer column in the Catholic Times has some thoughts on the issue.

Mass resumed in mid-April, some group activities and gatherings began in June. Social distancing still exists, masks, no singing, and the taking of temperatures and signing in at all the Masses continues. Parish life is half the size of the past and the vitality of the church community has greatly decreased.

Nevertheless, we cannot stop living our faith life, the mission of evangelization, and find ways to continue the work. We have to admit that we have crossed a river and can't go back; we must live with Corona. New prospective believers need to be admitted, and small community gatherings or existing groups should continue. Also, Sacramental life, the mission, and education of the church must continue in the corona era.

The "new evangelization" announced by Pope St. Paul II during his visit to South America in 1983 should be applied. The pope advocated "new evangelization" and presented three characteristics: 'new passion', 'new method', and 'new expression'. Indeed, if the present church uses these three characteristics to practice new evangelization, the present challenge can be an opportunity.

We need 'new passion' now. The fact that many church activities have been suspended does not mean that you cannot do anything. In the Corona period, a new way for the church community is to connect by non-physical face-to-face contact. Today's digital culture is accelerating non-face-to-face access through new ways of online communication.

Korea has coined two new words for the new digital world. 'Untact' means no contact. It is Konglish and used in Korea for the Corona19 situation(verbal contact on the internet). 'Ontact' refers to the experience of being face to face online.

The "non-face to face culture" is emerging as a way to strengthen connection and communication in an era where contact is blocked: online classes, video conferences, online performances, etc. that meets the needs of connection is becoming a popular way of connecting with others. However, the poor and marginalized classes are excluded from this exchange and communication and have the risk of structurally widening the gap between rich and poor.

Even when the parish community ceased saying the Mass and all activity was curtailed the Legion of Mary and group meetings continued and the priests' online pastoral activities continued to be delivered to the parishioners. This continues to spread throughout the church. The writer is convinced that the digital culture that connects with others, especially non-physical face to face contact is suitable for the corona era, a new pastoral paradigm through active communication and exchange among individuals, groups, and the whole church.

Nowadays, some parish podcasts have been opened to operate six channels (sermons, special lectures, parish events, group introductions, invitations, readings of books), and the response of the parishioners is very good. A lot of video content is continuously uploaded to the podcast. When the notification sounds on the application installed on the smartphone, it indicates that new content has been uploaded to the podcast. Wherever the parish believers are, they will all be connected in an instant in a spiritual digital world.

To Live Is To Change

The hero of the modern Italian unification movement, General Garibaldi, led a voluntary militia in May 1860 and advanced to Sicily. The collapse of the monarchy and the fall of the nobles became an irresistible trend. So begins the Peace column in the Catholic Times on the subject of change.

Duke Don Fabrizio of the island's historic aristocratic family despaired when he saw the way society was going. His nephew shouted to his uncle who was trying to turn away from reality: "Everything has to change in order not to change."

The writer quotes from the novel The Leopard by Tomasi di Lampedusa. Duke Fabrizio was afraid of change. He didn't want to lose the wealth and power that had supported the glory of the family from generation to generation. But history does not rest. Time flows, whether it goes backward or forward, the landscape is always changing.

Pope Francis also was impressed with the expression. At the end of last year, during a Christmas meeting with the officials of the Vatican, he quoted this verse and emphasized the justification of the reformation of the Vatican: "Often we approach change as if were a matter of simply putting on new clothes, but remaining exactly as we were before. I think of the enigmatic expression found in a famous Italian novel: "If we want everything to stay the same, then everything has to change" (The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa).

It is obvious that the Catholic Church is unable to respond promptly to changes in society. Criticized for sticking to outdated doctrines and going along apathetically. However, it is not appropriate for the church to be sensitive to changes in the external environment like the chameleon. What would the face of the church look like if the church had quickly adapted itself every time the world took a turn left or right for the past 2000 years? 

There is speculation that Corona 19 will change the world a lot. Those who have a talent for making new words predict that "the world will be divided into Before Corona (BC) and After Corona (AC)."

Even inside the church, there has been recent talk about "Church after Corona 19". Some speak prophetically, while others see only trees, not the forest. Nevertheless, the common story is that the church must change, and it will inevitably change. Corona 19 has already changed the look of the church in a matter of months.

Korean churches should also consider change after Corona19. There is no need to fear change. Are not things that are familiar to us now the result of numerous changes in the past? You cannot grow unless you change.

The most important thing in the process of seeking change is to distinguish between what is 'to be unchanged' and 'to be changed'. There are elements of faith that should not change. In other words, it is communion with the Gospel Word, liturgy, and sacraments. 

Our attitude must change. Abandon the indolence to settle only with the familiar and begin preaching the gospel with vitality. Attitudes that become increasingly difficult to see the signs of the times must be corrected. 

Let's open a forum for public discussion on the issue. In the name of adapting to the times, we have to avoid throwing out the baby with the bathwater.