A Task Worth All The Effort Required

Korean Culture has been influenced greatly by  Shamanism, Taoism,  Buddhism and Confucianism. Because Christianity found such a fertile spiritual climate when it entered Korea, its ethical teaching was not strange to the Korean converts.

One of the opinion pieces in the Catholic Times brings to our attention the tendency of seeing others negatively, thinking and saying negative things about others. This tendency to be critical, often justified as "just being truthful," is common in our society; we are quick to see the  faults of others and point out their weaknesses.

Lamenting that nothing was going right in his life a man went to the  Buddha  for help. He was told you have to give to others. He said that he had nothing to give. The Buddha told him that no matter how poor you are you can perform the following 7 alms:

1) Greet another with warmth.

2) Speak to another with words of praise, encouragment and tenderness.

3) Open one's heart to the other.

4) Look about the other gently.

 5) With the body help another with their work and baggage.

6) Give one your seat.

7) Without being asked, respond by reading another's heart, and then help.


The writer selects three of these as   the million dollar task of a group that he will be leading on a  summer vacation. To see others with kindly eyes;  think well of them, and  say good things about them. In doing so we leave no room for the negative in our relations with  others.        
 
Look on  others with friendly eyes; think well, and speak well  of them, and you will be happy.  (Matthew 28 verse 21)  You won't find this in Matthew the writer concludes, but it could  very well be part  of Jesus's teaching to the disciples.

A Movement from Intellectualism to Matters of the Heart

Over the years, many have noticed  that those who have been baptized while in military service, when discharged, do not usually join a Church. In recent years, we have heard a great deal of the growth of Catholicism in Korea but a lack of depth in the lives of many Catholics. The recent appointment of a religious as the new bishop of the Korean military, which occasioned a flurry of editorials and articles in Catholic media, may reverse this trend. He is the second religious to be made  bishop in Korea, and will be responsible for the pastoral care of those in the military, an obligatory service for all males.

The comments on the appointment have mentioned the symbolic value of the new bishop's position. Being a religious and  having worked in the field of spirituality for the Franciscans, there is hope that he will help energize the present movement in the Korean Church as it deals with finding ways to deepen the spirituality of our Christians.

The efforts of the new bishop, our Catholic media acknowledge, will not change anything quickly, but it is an important sign for the future. Whether the emphasis on quantity will shift to quality will depend on the spirituality of our Christians. At present, even minor difficulties can irritate because the inner life is missing.

The appointment of the second religious bishop to the Korean military has been seen by many as a symbolic message that the Spirit is at work, causing us to review the way we have conducted our catechumenate.

The Church in Korea knows that the Church in the West is on a downhill slide and that if something is not done here to stem the slide, this could be a self portrait of the Korean Church in the near future. .

A Jesuit superior was quoted as saying: "Since the Church got caught up in intellectualism, we have had a decline in church attendance; the faith has not descended to the heart. When we  experience the risen Lord in our lives, we will see the Church come alive." And a professor mentioned that the appointment of the new bishop brings up another subject to deal with: spirituality, the central focus, of course, of our Catholic life.

In Korea, unlike the States, on many topics, like spirituality, there is unanimity. What is needed is to have everyone working together to make our spirituality a deeply felt reality that all can experience.

What Does Jesus Want In Discipleship?

    There are many attempts to understand the workings of the Spirit in the Church. Faith in search of understanding is a helpful starting point  to grapple with what  the Church is faced with here in Korea and throughout the world.

     A priest writing in the August issue of the Kyeong-Hyang Catholic magazine brings to the fore an issue you hear discussed often; the place of the laity in the Church.

    In the article, we are told that about 30 years ago you heard the  word sick instead of ordinary in many circles of the Church when referring to the lay person. The word for lay person with an  aspirated 'p' is (P'yeong)=ordinary; it is Pyeong=sick  without  the  aspiration. The priest is using this in jest, but telling us many of the  lay person were not properly motivated in entering the Church.

    In the 80s, many were entering  the Church. It was at this time that church attendance was mostly middle class; they were better educated and better off financially and socially, which prompted the Church to take an interest in the culture and arts of the times. It was also at this time that many Church buildings were built, pilgrimage sites began to develop, aid went to North Korea and other countries and, in general, more was done for the poor.  Much of good was done during this period.

   
    The priest exemplifies the change in the Church by three examples with which he was not happy.

 

    A parish priest wanted to start a free lunch program for the poor but the opposition was so great he had to discard the idea. The time was not ripe for the idea of free lunches in the parish: many thought it would attract 'undesirable' people and not be a good example to the children.  

    Priests  and religious were speaking out on human rights issues and social concerns and being met with opposition by many Catholics. There were even expensive advertisements put in  the daily press and gathering of signatures in opposition. Many protests  were made  to those in authority within the Church.
 

   The third example was the attitude of parents about sending their children to Sunday school. Many parents did not like the idea because these classes were attended by many who were not good students. The parents wanted their children to study, and Sunday school was a hindrance to this quest for good marks.
 

   A gallup survey that was made had  67.9% of those who had a religion considered peace of mind the number one motivation. Catholics according to a  survey made by the Catholic Times had 41.9%  and of those born Catholics 32.4% who were motivated by peace of mind.  This  showed the longer they were Catholic the more in tune they were with the Catholic view of life. This is not the kind of motivation that is a  sign that we have been evangelized by the teachings of Jesus. It is the thinking of the larger society but not of a disciple of Jesus. Peace of  mind is a by-product of discipleship and not  its reason.

    There is always the danger of separating our life into daily life and faith life, and thus living a double life. As disciples of Jesus, we have only one life. Whatever we do is done as a disciple of Jesus.   

    The priest was very honest in what he had to say, and  I wonder how much credence he will be given. Those of us who find the status quo pleasant enough do not want to change. That has been true throughout history, and it is no different today. Change is not always for the best but when we reflect on what our Lord expects from us as his disciples, the possibilities of change should not be written off automatically.

                                                                                                                                                            

What Is Good For Society Is Good For Business

Big business in Korea heard their country's president tell them unexpectedly, of their responsibility to society: a pro-business government surprising  the Korean conglomerates with some straight talk. Government and big business have been too closely aligned to affect changes, but to have the president allude to problems gives us reason to hope for future substantive changes. He is asking the conglomerates to fulfill  their responsibility to society and not  be interested only in their profit margin and efficiency. 

The priest-director of the Notre Dame Centre for Ethics and Religious Values, in addition to speaking at the Kyongii University School of Business Administration, was invited by the Catholic Times to deliver a colloquy on the management of companies  and Catholic teaching. "A company  has the obligation to strive for the common good,"  he said. This is the way to effectively increase competition so both business and the common good benefit.
 

A movement in the field of management focuses on the employees and customers and has leadership relate with them as Servant Leaders.  Principles of Capitalism and efficiency as the number one focus of management has left a thirst for Cooperate Social Responsibility in the world of business. Servant Leadership in the teaching of the  Catholic Church is prominent; evidence also shows that this is the best  business practice.

Responding to the question about the role of worldwide conglomerates, the priest-director said that many of them--noting that some are more powerful than governments--should be guided by principles that can be reduced to a simple teaching of Jesus in his parable of the talents: "To whom much is given, much is required."

There were two other participants in the colloquy and one of them made clear that the conglomerates have an obligation to the stockholders and  employees but also to the society they live in. What  the Church is asking from the world of business is what society wants but expressed more comprehensively. The other participant said that what the Church would like to see happen and what companies desire are not in opposition.

In Europe and the United States, citizens are becoming more sensitive  on where to invest their money. As this thinking spreads,  more groups will publish information making known the corporate social responsibility  of each company. This will stimulate investments and prod other companies to change their method of doing business to one that is more socially responsible.

Hope For A Resolution of the Korean-Japanese Issue

Catholic Bishops of Japan have apologized for the annexation of Korea by the Japanese 100 years ago on August 29, 1910, the occupation lasting until the end of the Second World War in 1945. The head of the Japanese Bishops' Conference, speaking for the Catholic Church of Japan, is asking the government of Japan to reflect on the harm that was done by the annexation.

A recent editorial in the Catholic Times acknowledges  that the Japanese government has expressed sorrow for the annexation and the force and threats in making the treaty of annexation, but they are not any closer to admit the  annexation was illegal and invalid--a confession that may still be, even now, too embarrassing to acknowledge publicly.


A Bishop Conference spokesman said  it is important for Japan to admit to the harm that was done by its imperial policy, and the  Japanese Catholics have to share some of the blame. We should, in the presence of God,  have the courage to acknowledge our faults and ask forgiveness. This is not putting ourselves down but being truly human beings. It is with this  apology that we will enter the road to reconciliation.

The Japanese Bishops' apology was praised by the editorial writer. The ball is now in the court of the Japanese government and diet. They need to show, with a sincere formal apology for the annexation, their desire for a different, more amicable relationship with Korea.

The editorial concludes by citing the example of the United States when it apologized to Hawaii for the annexation of the Kingdom of Hawaii in 1993. The United States   acknowledged that it was illegal and infringed on the rights of the native Hawaiians for self-determination.

The reports are beginning to show that the Japanese government is planning to make an apology for the annexation, but these apologies, it seems, always lack something the other side wants. Hopefully, this time the government of Japan will be more sensitive and not only apologize sincerely, but acknowledge in unmistakable terms that the annexation was both illegal and  invalid from the start-- without avoiding the difficult but many believe necessary plea for forgiveness. With apologies, litigation is always a possibility and reparation a natural  response. Immunity from penalties would make it easier. Many cultural artifacts were taken from Korea and never returned and the on-going  comfort women problem  has  not been   resolved. We will have to see if there will be a resolution to these problems.  

How Should Catholics Use the Media?

Most of us spend time everyday  viewing the  news or getting information from the many forms of the media: radio, TV, newspapers and the internet. We all have different ways  of getting our news and information. The Kyeong-Hyang Catholic magazine gives us this month  some helpful pointers to look for when going to the media for information.

From his office the writer has a clear view of South  Mountain in Seoul, but there  are two windows, and each has a  slightly different view of the mountain.This he compares to the way information comes to us. Information comes to us packaged  by those who give us the news and information.

Media give us the windows through which we see  world affairs directly or indirectly. The same incidents will be reported differently, and we understand what is happening  according to the way it is  being reported. When one goes to the news at 9:00pm at KBS or MBC you are given the way each one of these look upon what is happening in a different way.

We are influenced either knowingly or unknowingly and this in turn influences the society in which we live. The  choice we make in the way we receive  our information is not only a personal matter, but it also influences the society in which we live. We  should make sure that the media we are using are not influencing us in a  harmful way. We need the help of a  code to help us in making decisions. Ethics in Communication from World Communication Day 2000 is such a code.

 "The first duty of recipients of social communication is to be discerning and selective. They should inform themselves about media-- their structures, mode of operation, contents-- and make responsible choices, according to ethically sound criteria, about what to read or watch or listen to." (#25)

"Everyone deserves the opportunity to grow and flourish in respect to the full range of physical, intellectual, emotional, moral, and spiritual goods. Individuals have irreducible dignity and importance, and may never be sacrificed to collective interests." (#21)

"Thus, while social communication rightly looks to the needs and interests of particular groups, it should not do so in a way that sets one group against another--for example,in the name of class conflict, exaggerated nationalism, racial supremacy, ethnic cleansing, and the like. The virtue of  solidarity, a firm and persevering determination to commit oneself to the common good, ought to govern all areas of social life, economic, political, cultural, religious." (#22)

"Another relevant principle, already mentioned, concerns public participation in making decisions about communications  policy. At all levels, this participation should be organized, systematic,, and genuinely representative, not skewed in favor of a particular group. The principle applies even, and perhaps especially, where media are privately owned and operated for profit." (#24)

He concludes that the influence of the media  on our lives is enormous. The use of the media can be for the good or for evil. We have the responsibility of making the right choice.

The Korean Martyrs of Japan

In the recent Catholic Times a Korean Sister gives us brief sketches of  15 Koreans that are listed among the  205 Japanese Martyrs. They were familiar with  13 of the Korean martyrs but the list has been extended to 15. They go back to the time when Koreans were forcibly taken  to Japan  during the invasion of Korea in the last part of the 16th century.

These Christians built a Church in 1610 in Nagasaki for the  Korean Catholics, the first Korean Church. This year marks the 100 year of the annexation of Korea by the Japanese and the 400th year of the building of St. Lorenzo Catholic Church; it was torn down  in 1620 when Christianity was banned in Japan. To commemorate the event a Mass will be celebrated on the Feast of St. Lawrence on August 10 by the archbishop of the Nagasaki Diocese.

The Koreans who are in the group of martyrs that were beatified in 1867 by  Pius IX  were beheaded  or  burned at the stake. The first was martyred in 1619 and the last  in 1627.

The first Korean martyr on the list is Cosmas Takuea taken to  Japan as a prisoner of war. He was a devoted servant to the master who brought him back to Japan;  he was given his freedom and his owner also bought him a house. This gave rise to jealousy on the part of the Japanese. He was picked up for sheltering two Dominican Priests and remained with them in prison.  He was burned at the stake showing great strength right up to the time of his death. His wife Agnes and son Francisco were beheaded three years later.

Blessed Caius has been written about rather frequently. He was looking for the truth by going to a temple and living the hermit's life  when he was taken as a prisoner to Japan. He was freed by his master and he  returned to a temple where he was baptized by a Jesuit priest. From that time, he lodged with the Jesuits and wanted to enter the Jesuits but did not receive permission. He did receive permission just before he died:  first Korean Jesuit Religious. Before his death, he was told that if he ceased  spreading Christianity and baptizing he would be freed. He replied that  while he has life he will continue teaching and baptizing. This is the way he went to his death in 1624 by burning at the stake.

The cruelty exhibited in Japan in the persecution would be difficult to match in the history of Christianity. The Church in Japan is still a very small percentage, but it is a strong community. The Koreans are well represented in the martyrology of Japan, and the Koreans even have their first Korean Saint in the 26 martyrs who died by crucifixion  in Nagasaki--  St. Leo Karasumaru. He was baptized by the Jesuits in 1589,  became the first  Korean Franciscan tertiary and chief catechist for the friars. Born in Korea and died in Nagasaki in 1597, he was canonized on June 8 1862 by Pope Pius IX.