Forming Virtues

 
 

Virtue is a word used often. In Korea, it is mostly found in compound words making it often difficult to understand its traditional meaning as habits of the body and soul. A director of a Spirituality Center in the Catholic Times Weekly gives us some thoughts to ponder on the subject.
 
Virtue (德) is a factor that makes human beings more dignified. People can be divided into those who are virtuous and those who are not. The virtues considered important to Christians are the theological: (faith, hope, love), the three evangelical counsels (poverty, chastity, obedience), and the four cardinal virtues (wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance). The Apostle Paul exhorts us: "Finally, fill your minds with everything true, noble, good and pure, everything that we love and honor, and that can be thought virtuous or worthy of praise (Phil 4:8).
 
How, then, is virtue formed within us?
"A virtue is a habitual and firm disposition to do the good. It allows the person not only to perform good acts but to give the best of themselves. The virtuous person tends toward the good with all their sensory and spiritual powers; he pursues the good and chooses it in concrete actions" (Catechism of the Church 1803).
 
He recalls the director of the 'God of Study' program, who has made several attempts to get students to study. He has explained the program but with little success. You have to make them want to do it. So he created a motivational program and gave a lot of advice. But it lasted for a very short time.
 
In the end, it was 'making habits' that made children study. A study at the University of London found that repeating the same thing for 66 days can make it a habit. Based on this, he created a habit calendar and had them fill in the blanks day by day for 66 days.
 
The results were very surprising. The children who started learning study habits turned into study-loving children after 66 days. We have Lent, a 40-day habit-forming period. If you can fight and overcome vices for 40 days, you can survive for 3 years the time of Jesus' public life. And if you can survive three years, you are well on to making it a habit for life.
 
If you begin a program of 6-weeks wanting to quit the use of alcohol, the first two weeks will be hell. For the next two weeks, you have to fight the thought: 'Why do I have to suffer like this?' For the last two weeks, it's more like: 'Oh, it's easier than I thought?' But when you become arrogant, you fall apart. If you can endure that for three years, you will become a person with the habit of abstinence.
 
The author of the book Grit, Angela Duckworth, was often told by her father, that she didn't have the 'smarts' and wouldn't succeed. However, at the age of 43, she received a prestigious award, that was awarded to only 20 from all over the world.
 
In psychology, 'grit' refers to 'the power to endure to the end when one reaches the limit'. The ability to persevere to the end creates a habit, and when it becomes a virtue, you have reached your desired goal. To develop grit, she says, make a 'habit of getting things done, even the little things."
 
For good health, just a simple exercise is enough to start with— the set plan must be completed 'unconditionally' to the end. "If you don't succeed, it's not because you don't have the capability, it's because you gave up," she says.
 
Let's start with the habit of making the sign of the cross when we go to bed and wake up. The day will come when prayer becomes a virtue and part of life.

What Makes a House a Home?

 

What makes a house a home? Different are the ways we choose to express ourselves but certainly, it is not the external, physical aspects of the house in which we live. Is it not more a feeling, the quality of life one experiences?

In a diocesan parish bulletin, a university professor gives us some thoughts on the subject and the reasons for family members to present a verification certificate of their place in the family.

May is the month of the family. He recommends that parents and children, husband and wife, and other members all list their place and role in the family.  Looking at the list they will have a new understanding and feeling down deep in their hearts towards the family.

When you see the content of the relationship we are so familiar with, one can't help thinking about the preciousness of each and every member of the family. However, there is one more document needed: a verification that God requires of us.

A family relationship certificate is just that. How is the 'home' different from family? The family [가족] represents blood kinship, while the 'home' [가정] represents the space in which the relationship is lived, the family community.

A family relationship certificate is sufficient to prove who the family members are, but the family relationship certificate will not show how well the family members communicate and relate with each other.
Not everybody who lives in a family lives in a home. Even if they are together, together as islands, the family relationship exists but not family life.

Living apart from the family does not make family life impossible. If hearts are connected in love, the community of joy with the family exists for they are connected with family with calls, mail, and with love. On the other hand, if one remains in the house but closes the door of one's room and lives without conversation one is living alone with the family.

Have a happy month of May, completing a family relationship certificate that is not ashamed before God and more meticulously prepared than our tax documents.

Human Rights And Covid-19

It has been more than two years, writes a lawyer in the Catholic Peace Weekly since they worked with human rights activists, and researchers, to organize guidelines on human rights issues surrounding COVID—suggest laws and policies for improvement, and intervene in individual cases of human rights violations. 

We need to begin again, talk and reflect and bring about change for those who still need help, those who have been left behind, and those who will be victims in the future. What have we learned from COVID-19 and what can we change?
 
They have met the families of the victims affected by the COVID-19 vaccine and attended memorial services for the dead. Shortly after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine, people have died or their health deteriorated, but authorities say the virus has nothing to do with it. Anger and distrust are bound to increase. 

The Infectious Disease Prevention Act stipulates that the state compensates for 'adverse reactions after vaccination' and death 'regardless of negligence', but there are only a few cases where the relationship is recognized. Although partial assistance is available for some, it is often not possible to maintain a level that can compensate for damage or the continuation of treatment.
 
It was just recently that the voices of the numerous COVID-19 deaths, seriously ill patients, and their families began to be heard. Attend press conferences and memorial services. The Infectious Disease Prevention Act clearly stipulates that 'People have the right to receive diagnosis and treatment for infectious diseases under this Act at a medical institution, and the state and local governments must bear the costs for this. The regulations limit the scope of support to 'quarantine. If there is no death during 'quarantine', it will not be included in the death toll due to COVID-19.
 
The issue of health equity has continued to appear in human rights-related meetings, and in various discussions and lectures. There have been many discussions and issues raised regarding problems with discrimination against workers, migrants, disabled, homeless, and prison inmates but the improvement has been slow and only partially improved.
 
In fact, there is no plan for mourning and remembrance for the more than 20,000 people in this 'roadmap'. So far, there has been little concern for the socially underprivileged, vulnerable groups, and health equity. There are practically no specific measures for those who have died or are seriously ill with COVID-19, and the target and scope of support for vaccine victims will  slightly increase. There is no plan for the establishment of an organization in charge of human rights, with experts and civil society. It seems clear that this falls short of what most members of society had expected and wanted.
 
The post-COVID-19 world must be different. Those with authority and responsibility need to have a sincere attitude of 'unlimited responsibility' and 'listening'. Letting go of 'politics, arrogance, and carelessness'.
 

 

 

 

 

Eco-friendly Energy

 

A director of a Green Transition Station research center explains to the readers of a Pastoral Bulletin his concern for the future of ecological progress.
 
On the occasion of the 52nd Earth Day, young people held an event to collect trash at a Wetland Ecological Park. The ecological park still has traces of salt fields and narrow-gauge train tracks from the past. It was crowded with families and lovers enjoying spring.
 
The citizens watching the young people picking up trash were moved by their efforts. The writer was proud to see the response of the young people to the conservation of the mudflats. Trash had decreased. Rare would persons indiscriminately throw trash away in a park, but it must also be because there is less trash flowing into the ecological park.
 
The vast west coast tidal flats have become smaller. Although it was a spawning ground and site for many fish and shellfish, it's now turned mostly into apartments and industrial complexes. What memories did environmental organizations' Earth Day activities convey to citizens visiting the park?
 
As the mudflats disappear, the seawater, which used to come in and out twice a day, stops in front of the apartment complex. Can the Ecological Park, and Ultra High-rise Apartment Complexes remain safe even if the earth gets hotter?
 
Meteorologists claim that the number of typhoons will become stronger when the seawater gets warmer by 1 degree Celsius, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) under the United Nations recently released a report. If warming is not prevented, the sea level will rise by 90cm by the end of this century.
 
Even though environmental groups warned of a crisis 52 years ago, governments turned a blind eye or suppressed the news, change came slowly.
 
As climate talks continue, many pretend to listen. Our government declared carbon neutrality by 2050, which the IPCC evaluated as insufficient. They warned we would avoid catastrophe only if carbon neutrality was achieved by 2040, but the present regime, about to be launched, is in doubt.
 
The previous government's policy if implemented, electricity prices would rise and GDP decrease, increasing nuclear power plants. However, as confirmed by the Fukushima accident, nuclear power plants are currently not secure. The related research is now unknown, will it suddenly become possible?
 
The problem of climate change in the face of crisis is greenhouse gas due to energy and consumption, and of course, Korea is not able to solve all the problems.
 
Nuclear power plant electricity is only about 30% in Korea. Most countries are under 30 percent or without nuclear power. Exceptions are France and some countries, which are trying to reduce the risk to less than 50%. The total amount of energy spent building, operating, and disposing of them is seen by many as not the answer to preventing climate change with nuclear power. This is why Europe is reluctant to classify nuclear power as eco-friendly.
 
50 years ago climate change was not a pressing issue. The energy was not considered necessary for the enjoyment of life. Even if we have less than we have now we should look at our happy ancestors. We need happiness that is sustainable.

Understanding of Labor in a Korean Archdiocese

 

The results of a recent survey by an Archdiocesan Labor Pastoral Commission were announced recently and written up in the recent Catholic Peace Weekly.

 

Catholics were found to have a strong desire to reflect on the meaning and value of work practices following the social teachings of the church. 

 

The survey was conducted from October 7 to 31, 2021, targeting 309 men and women 17 years of age or older who were connected with the Archdiocese of Seoul.

 

As a result of the survey, 79.3% of respondents said that they view what they do as God's calling. Also, 91.3% of respondents said they were Catholic at work. 93.9% of the respondents indicated that they considered themselves contributing to society through their work. Regarding the importance of justice in the workplace, 90.3% of the respondents said they are willing to raise an objection when they see unfair work practices. 82.8% of the respondents said that the Catholic Church helps them understand the value of work. 

 

To the question of who is socially underprivileged in the workplace, workers with disabilities accounted for the most at 46.3%, followed by workers injured by industrial accidents at 36.2%, migrant workers at 32.4%, and youth workers at 31.4%. 

 

Looking at the field of whether the working environment is safe, 78% of the respondents answered that the cause of industrial accidents was due to management which puts profits at top priority. It was followed by 45.6% of companies' negligence in safety management, and 43.7% said that it was due to little concern for punishment and regulations. 

 

By economic activity group, the response of 'workers' lack of safety awareness' was higher in the employer group, while wage workers pointed to the causes in the company. The Labor Minister’s Committee analyzed this, saying: "It indicates the need for specialization in education for each economically active group."

 

Regarding whether working conditions are just, 85.4% of the respondents said that they did not enjoy enough rest and leisure, and 88% of the respondents answered that they thought they were not being paid enough. The reason for not receiving sufficient remuneration was that there were a lot of non-regular jobs, and large companies set low subcontract prices. 

 

As for whether our society provides enough jobs, 87.4% of the respondents answered that they did not. As the cause of the job shortage, 50.2% answered that the government's lack of effective employment policy was the reason.

 

As for whether they would like to participate in labor-related social doctrine education and labor pastoral activities, 63.1% of the respondents expressed their intention to participate in labor-related education based on social doctrine. In addition, 33.3% of the respondents expressed their intention to participate in the activities of the Catholic Church related to labor issues.

 

The Labor and Pastoral Committee said: "The results of the survey on 'labor and faith' in commemoration of the World Day for Decent Work on October 7, 2021, will call on governments to develop jobs plans. The survey examined the values ​​of work among believers and reminds us of various current issues facing our society." The article ends with a prayer that believers and the church reflect together and joyfully continue their journey toward 'Christ, the working man'.

Sexual Violence and the Culture of Death

 

The first Sunday of May in Korea is Respect for Life Sunday— the Church's ways to fight against the culture of death that surrounds us. In the Catholic Times  Diagnosis of the Times column, a human life scholar gives us some thoughts on the tendency in society toward sexual violence and neglect of human life issues.
 
One day, more than 20 years ago, she heard about a shocking experience from a senior who was volunteering at a women's shelter. A father raped a young daughter who underwent major surgery to remove her uterus. At the time, she had never heard  such news in any of the media and did not believe the senior's words. No family would have done such a horrendous thing. But in recent years, she has seen such news several times a month.
 
Although the overall number of cases of sexual violence has decreased, there is a reluctance to acknowledge an increase in sexual violence within families (relatives). This is because, according to the "2019 Sexual Violence Safety Survey Results", 9.6% of Korean adults have experienced sexual violence with physical contacts, such as rape or sexual assault, at least once in their lifetime. Therefore, the recent cases of sexual violence within the family (relatives) we see in mass media prove that unlike in the past, things that we tried to hide are now being publicized. We are becoming socially more accepting of victims as women's human rights are increased in Korea, and because of efforts to strengthen legal and institutional provisions.
 
There have been many studies on victims of sexual violence and demands for legal and institutional improvement, but studies on the causes of sexual violence are relatively few. Some scholars view sexual violence within the family (relatives) as a social product of fixed gender roles, but it is insufficient to say that this alone has identified the cause of the problem. In particular, as women's human rights continue to be strengthened and social advancement is increasing, to limit the cause as a social product of fixed gender roles is not seeing the whole picture.
 
So what's the problem? Sexual violence is revealed as heinous violence in which the strong dehumanize the weak through sex. This is done in this way not only in society but also in the family (relatives). Also, women are not the only victims of sexual violence. According to the police’s statistics on crime in 2020, the incidence of male sexual violence (rape, forced molestation) victims reached 6.6%. The overwhelming majority of female victims are because women are still socially weak, but since male victims also have a position of relative weakness, sexual violence is not viewed from the perspective of men as perpetrators and women as victims. It can be said that it stems from a culture of death that despises the dignity of the weak.
 
This calls for reflection on whether the culture in our society sees sexuality as a tool for resolving desires or for the strong to abuse the weak. And while strengthening legal punishment and institutional improvement is important as a way to solve these social pathologies, correct sex education is equally essential. "True education pursues the formation of a character that aims for the good of society as well as the ultimate goal of human beings." Sex education is included in this purpose. In other words, sex education should look at the whole human being, not limited to sexual activity and sexual life. If the principle of affirming and respecting the existence of the other person is excluded, sex is just a tool, that permits great evil and a culture of death that dehumanizes humans.

Civilians and War

 In the Catholic Times column: Nation, Reconciliation, Unity, the secretary of the bishops' National Reconciliation Committee gives us some thoughts on citizens and war. 

Monsignor George Carroll a missionary from the Maryknoll Foreign Mission Society was prominent in establishing the military chaplaincy in the early days of the Korean War. 

 

His diary, written in September 1950, mentions a meeting to prepare for military service. According to this record, a list of three: a Presbyterian, one Methodist, and one Catholic was to be presented to the president. President Syngman Rhee said that the three would have the same authority and since the government didn't have the money they would have to finance the system with their own funds. 

 

Monsignor Carroll later became a military chaplain and witnessed the horrors of war firsthand. An October 3, 1950 diary he left behind tells the reality of war in which not only enemy attacks but also friendly military operations threaten civilians. 

 

"The weather was cloudy and gloomy all day. Father Deslandes (The founder of Handmaids of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Father Nam Lois Deslandes ( 1895 ~ 1972 ) came today and looked healthy told the story of the bombardment— 12 shells fell and all windows of the relief building were shattered in which they were staying. 130 people, including orphans, the elderly, nuns, and French bishops and priests, were all unharmed. They prayed to Our Lady to protect them." 

 

On February 24, the war in Ukraine began 'suddenly'. Contrary to the expectations of experts, Russia carried out an all-out invasion. As the war continues, young soldiers who are not responsible for the situation continue to be driven into the battlefield. And the sad news of the loss of civilians makes our hearts heavy.

 

The theory of "just warfare" that distinguishes combatants from non-combatants is a rule that is difficult to follow in reality. In fact, advanced weapons with powerful destructive power are causing more severe civilian casualties than in the past. The greatest victims of unjust wars have been and continue to be the weakest in any society. 

 

Therefore, the anti-war church teaches: "The fifth commandment forbids the intentional destruction of human life. Because of the evils and injustices that accompany all war, the Church insistently urges everyone to pray and to action so that the divine Goodness may free us from the ancient bondage of war." (Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 2307). 

 

Pray for an end to the war in Ukraine, and let us pray earnestly that true peace can be realized on the Korean Peninsula in this land where the danger of war continues to be present.