Knowing How To Read Statistics

"Why do I, standing in the shadow of this large and splendid Cathedral, feel so cold?" were the beginning words of an article in the Chosun Ilbo yesterday that reported some interesting and disturbing statistics on the Catholic Church just published for 2009.

Catholics are now 10.1 percent of the population, with an increase of baptized Catholics over the previous year. Participants to an academic meeting, which evaluated the statistics, see the figures as possibly indicating both a period of stability and a warning sign for the future- that a decline may be immanent, unless preventive measures are taken.

The group wants to focus not only on the positive but on what the statistics may tell us about a not so positive future. In the year 2000, 29 percent of Catholics regularly attended Mass; in 2008, 24 percent were attending.

One of the presenters was quoted as saying that the efforts at renewal are insufficient to keep the loss of faith from spreading. Signs of the stabilizing process: Loss of faith and secular ways of thinking are spreading, better living conditions of our priests and religious, increase of leisure time, and the weakening of the prophetic in our faith life. If we continue to neglect this situation, according to the consensus of the group, we will enter a period of decline. .

One suggested that we can no longer continue with priests at the center of our faith life. Lay people have to take their rightful place, participating fully with the priest in what is going on in the Church.

Another said we shouldn't concern ourselves with numbers but with how many Catholics are following our Lord. A layman from the Korean Catholic Cutural Center noted that the Church in past years had few possessions, was not well organized, and priests and religious were living in poverty but, paradoxically, the Church received more respect. And yet another participant thought that the communication from the established dioceses has to improve if the situation is to change.

What begins imperceptibly without being noticed often brings unexpected and disastrous results. It is like the frog in lukewarm water, enjoying the swim, raising the heat slowly, the frog will not realize the small increase in temperature and, without concern, will die in the boiling water.

Both Catholic newspapers in recent editorials mentioned that the signs of a possible decline for the Korean Church, similar to what has happened to the European Catholic community are ominously clear. The hope is that the Bishops will do something about the anticipated problem. Perhaps a few more saints would also help to show us where we have gone wrong and to point us in a new direction.

The Time Has Arrived for the Electric Car

For some time, grandmothers have been coming to church with their electric cars. On many Sundays, there are at least three parked in front of the Church. It seems that Korea is now ready for the family electric car.

A half page spread in The Peace Weekly gave us a run down on the latest car with zero CO2 emissions, the e-Zone. It was a gift to the seminary by the company that is the leader in electric car manufacturing in Korea. In the world of environmentally friendly cars, Korea clearly intends to be among the leaders. .

The e-Zone is already the most popular car on campus among professors, religious and seminarians. And on a recent visit by the writer to a showroom exhibit, he found the e-Zone the center of attention for many of the Japanese visitors. .

With a speed limit of under 60 kilometers per hour and its compact design, the car is ideal for city use. It is powered by an electric motor and batteries, which can be recharged with ordinary electricity. Recharging takes about four hours and will go on a single charge up to 70 kilometers. Car price ranges from $8,000 to $16,000, and less than 10 dollars a month if the car is driven no more than 1,500 kilometers a month.

CT&T, the company that built the e-Zone, has a history of working in this field and is beginning to export and build factories in other parts of the world. That the company is small and not part of any of the established conglomerates is a pleasant surprise. It would be encouraging to all small, independent companies to see such a company competing successfully in an industry that has been dominated by giants for so many years.

Collaboration in the Apostolate

Vertical leadership by priests has to give way to a more horizontal style of leadership if small groups are to be effective in achieving their goals. The priest needs to consider all those he is working with as friends, co-workers sharing the same goals. In the process, religious and lay people will have the opportunity to exercise both their autonomy and their independence.

This was the way the article in The Peace Weekly recounted what happened in the 9th Small Group Apostolate meeting, sponsored by the Bishops' Committee, that met for three days during the last days of May. A total of 276 attended from 14 Dioceses. The theme was taken from John's Gospel 15:15, "I will call you friends."

A layperson, in his address to the assembly, stressed the importance of having a horizontal understanding of authority, getting rid of rank and seeing all as brothers and sisters. Laypersons should not be waiting to take orders passively from the priest, but using their own initiative to set into motion imagination and creativity in the service of evangelization; the apostolate of the layperson has to be acknowledged.

A Religious Sister, in her presentation, said she sees a problem with the Confucian cultural understanding of authority that is a leftover from earlier days, but admits that she also falls into this way of relating in the parish. When the Religious feels that proper respect was not shown, the way to resolve this is to have the Religious be conscious of their own identity and autonomy. They are not shackled to the priest.

Religious should always be concerned with their life of faith, not as authority figures but as servants in the manner of our Lord: always open, discerning properly and clearly, and able to express this in their life. Seeing one's own faults, willing to forgive, and having a big heart allowing one to give up their position for the unity of the group.

A priest, in his presentation, compared the relationship of the layperson, religious, and the priest to a three-legged stool. When one of the legs is shorter or longer than the others, a problem develops. When they are all even and equal, there is equilibrium. Similarly, when the relationships are right, there will be collaboration in the apostolate and a solid foundation for future development.

Necessity for Media Literacy

Media Literacy is the subject of an article in the recent issue of the Kyeong-Hyang Magazine. The writer, a priest, wants us to be more critical of what we allow into our homes. The media gives us much that is good but also, especially when depicting violence and sex, much that does not help us to grow in a healthy and mature way.

Dramas tend to make more money, producers know, when plenty of violence and sex are depicted. A popular Korean movie "Friend," a drama about gangsters, loyalty and betrayal, with a great deal of violence and sex, was, at the time it came out, the biggest money maker of all time. The characters became idols to many of the young and there were those who copied some of the violence. The movie was skillfully done, well acted and directed, so that viewers could easily sympathize with the characters--making it all the more dangerous to youngsters who are often looking for role models to imitate. .

The writer also feels this is true with "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,"the American TV drama series that is now showing on Korean TV. Filled with violence and sex, the series has been used as a textbook for crime by at least one serial killer in Korea, who confessed that he learned how to get rid of the evidence from watching CSI.

Stories in the press have also been used by youngsters in a copy cat way. Middle school children making porno films with their classmates, indulging in acts of violence, even murders--all have been traced back to some media coverage.

The writer, in addition to asking for more vigilance concerning what is watched and read, suggests that TV stations be notified when programing is not proper.

He concludes the article with a quote from the Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II, The Rapid Development, section 13.

"The great challenge of our time for believers and for all people of good will is that of maintaining truthful and free communication which will help consolidate integral progress in the world. Everyone should know how to foster an attentive discernment and constant vigilance, developing a healthy critical capacity regarding the persuasive force of the communications media.

"Also in this field, believers in Christ know that they can count upon the help of the Holy Spirit. Such help is all the more necessary when one considers how greatly the obstacles intrinsic to communication can be increased by ideologies, by the desire for profit or for power, and by rivalries and conflicts between individuals and groups, and also because of human weakness and social troubles. The modern technologies increase to a remarkable extent the speed, quantity and accessibility of communication, but they above all do not favor that delicate exchange which takes place between mind and mind, between heart and heart, and which should characterize any communication at the service of solidarity and love."

Feminist Working Mother With No Regrets

A feminist doctor, writing in a recent column in the Korean Times, explains what she understands by the term "working mother." She says that her biology and her role in society do not in any way make her, as a working mother, feel handicapped or victimized.

She realizes that society does not treat women equally with men, especially in the workplace. And as a working mother she knows this first hand, but says that this is a problem of society, not her problem.

She is proud of her biological individuality, her place in the family as a working mother, and her femininity; whether society realizes it or not is immaterial. Her position in society is quite different from many other women; she has a good paying job and admits she is in no position to appreciate all their problems.

However, there are feminists, she feels, who reject the role of women and belittle their unique characteristics. Is it an embarrassment, she asks, to be a woman? Is birthing and raising children an unfair burden amounting to mistreatment and a loss of freedom--women becoming tools of a capitalistic society? Accepting this way of thinking is to look down on the role of women, sometimes expressed by assertions like the following:
Since men are not doing their part in raising a child, I will not either.
Men do not feel responsible for the birth of the child, I will not either.
Men do not partake in housework, and I will not either.
Society does not help in raising a child, and I won't either.
Society makes it hard on a working mother; I will work but not give birth.

The thinking behind these statements is often the understanding that women are giving birth not for themselves but for their husbands or society. Is a woman, she asks, a birthing machine for her husband and society?

The writer hopes that women will work for a society in which a husband and wife will share responsibility for raising their children. When the husband does not act responsibly, the wife should bring it to his attention. Working mothers should ask their husbands to help with the housework. When society does not act as it should, efforts should be made to change society. And, perhaps most important, working women should not look down on the birthing and raising children. She dreams that some day society will appreciate the role of a working mother, seeing it as it should be seen--as magnificent and respected.

How Catholic Koreans Feel About Unification

This is the 60th year of the outbreak of the Korean War. The Suwon Diocese with a questionnaire examined the thinking of the Catholics about North Korea. Since the sinking of the Chonam navel ship, a coldness has set in, and we have a hardening of the different ideologies to the North.

Those who would like to see unification irrespective of time were 93.2%, and those who like the situation as is, was 4.6%. Those who thought it impossible were 2.1%. A Gallup poll made earlier this year found that 26% found the situation now to their liking. The Catholic response was decidedly for unification.

The question, whether you would be willing to pay on an individual basis to see unification, 58.6% said that they would accept the burden. 25.7% didn't know and those not willing were 15.6%. 72.3% of the men and 44.9% of the women were willing to finance the unification.

38% thought that aid should not be given, unless they knew how it was going to be used. 37.1% thought aid should be given unconditionally. 24.1% thought aid should be given on the North's advances on the way to peace.

If we had religious freedom in the North 39.2 % would be willing to volunteer for a certain period of time. Those 20 to 30 showed the greatest interest. 37.6% would be willing to help out monthly in supporting those working in the North. 7.6% would go North to evangelize. Half of those over 50 would be willing to support those working as missioners in the North.

To the question what can the Church do to prepare for unification: 33.8 % thought the church should prepare those who will be going North to evangelize. 24.1% wanted to help the people in the North stabilize their living conditions. 19.8% felt that building hospitals and schools important and 14.3% thought priest and religious should be prepared to go to the North.

The Catholic Church has accepted seminarians who will work in North Korea. The Church has also taken an active part in helping the refugees from the North to accommodate to the South. Maryknoll continues to help fund the work in North Korea with the tuberculosis patients in cooperation with the Bell Foundation. After 60 years of division besides the physical needs, the North will have to take time to become part of the world.

What Makes a Virtuous Enterprise?

This month's Kyeong-Hyang Magazine continues with a series of articles on economics. The writer, a priest from the Andong Diocese, presents a concept of doing business he calls the "virtuous enterprise." He begins with a statement from a past president of Korea: "It seems that the authority of the government has gone over to the market." This bitter confession has prompted many to want this authority reclaimed by government.

The big enterprises in Korea needed the government's help in the beginning, but they have grown to a point where they have thrown off regulations and government control and follow only the dictates of the market. The influence of business has expanded beyond the world of finances into politics, society and culture, and continues to grow.

The writer imagines what the future would look like if companies become socially responsible--become "virtuous enterprises." They would not be interested in making more money, as if that is their only responsibility to society.

Although it is awkward to talk about the success of these companies, it seems they are having success. The buying public has a preference for these companies and will look for their products. People of talent are even ready to sacrifice pay to work for them.

A professor from an American University was quoted as saying that companies of this type are able to internalize the motivation of workers. Their workers feel proud to be part of such companies and will work zealously to make them successful.

As an aid in achieving this goal, there is a Christian equity index, which includes companies that are considered ethical and are recommended for investment. In Europe, there are 533 companies whose revenues come from approved sources. Groups that make money from pornography, weapons, tobacco, birth control and gambling are excluded.

The goal of socially responsible companies may be a dream of the writer and of most of us, but it is an ideal that is actually finding many who want to partake in this new way of doing business.