Fraternal Charity Between the North and South

The primary reason, it is said, for the existence of the Korean military is the division of the country into two Koreas. Not only is this a big issue in politics, especially at election times, but it is related to many other issues: future meetings with the North, the North Limit Line (the disputed maritime demarcation line in the Yellow Sea between the North and the South), Mount Kumgang sightseeing, humanitarian aid to the North, family reunions, the National Intelligence Service, public security, left wing thinking, nuclear weapons, 6-party talks (Russia, China, Japan, USA, South and North Korea) and the like are all connected with the cold wind that blows from the North.

Writing in the With Bible magazine, a college professor reminds us that whenever these topics arise in talking about the North, it is usually accompanied with a  feeling of hostility and hatred. Politics is not the only area of conflict which has developed because of the North/South debate. With the growing confrontation between contending parties, all Koreans are beginning to tire of the issue.

There are things in life we can change and others that we can't. What we can't change, whether we like it or not, says the professor, we need to accept. And if what we can't change is from the past, we need to deal with that issue differently than it was handled in the past. The professor urges all of us to get rid of the baggage we carry from the past and work to change the feelings associated with that baggage. 

Confucius told one of his disciples to be careful not to transfer one's anger to someone else. This advice is not easily followed, the professor admits, noting that passing along our anger to others is a common occurrence, and it usually gets transferred to those weakest among us. He hopes we can rid ourselves of  the anger that comes from a difficult past relationship, so that we can begin to lay the foundation for bringing about a new relationship.
 
Statements like "a follower of the North...a friend of the North" are often used to brand another as somehow unpatriotic.  But isn't that exactly what we should be trying to do?" he asks. Being a friend to a brother in trouble--is this not a sign of our humanity? Isn't this what we as Christians are supposed to do? Being friendly with the North is not something that should be criticized but something we should work to foster.

Love that is not expressed will not bear fruit. Seed that is not planted in the garden will not grow. Liberation does not come automatically.  Salvation comes to us with the cross of Jesus. The difficulty with the North will not be resolved without effort. Instead of hate, we have to speak out for reconciliation and hope.  We do not want to transfer our anger but foster patience and  levelheadedness. This is not a time for hate but joy and fraternity. The message of restoration should be preached in the home, workplace, offices, and places of play. When spoken out forcefully everywhere, this message of hope and joy will be the way we change the static that comes from this long separation into something we all can embrace.
 
 "Be bountiful, O Lord, to Zion, in your kindness, by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem" (Ps 51:20). In the days to come, the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established as the highest mountain and raised above  the hills. All  nations shall stream toward it....They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. One nation shall not raise the sword against another, nor shall they train for war again" ( Isa 2: 2-4).

Who is the Happy Person?

Goals and values in life are frequently different for each of us but beneath the goals and values is the same search for happiness, a desire that is inscribed in our human nature, says a seminary professor writing in the With Bible magazine.

By this desire for happiness, he believes we are showing our love for the world. Even though we experience quarreling, violence, oppression, pain, and  sickness, we  still love the world. What needs to be done, the professor says, is to distinguish between loving the world and being conditioned, manipulated by the world. Since we were born in the world, we have both the duty and the right to love the world. With this understanding, we have to define what we mean by happiness. Some think happiness comes from possessing material goods and honors; some think it comes from sharing.

Which is it? he asks his readers. There are workers who believe that a good, well-paying job will bring them happiness. And there are students who think that happiness comes with getting into their school of choice, and for untold numbers of people who struggle with a difficult situation, solving the difficulty would bring happiness to them. The understanding of happiness is different for each of us.

There is another face, he says, to the world we love: the fear that surrounds our knowing that it will come to an end for us. The Scriptures speak of the transiency of life: "All mankind is grass, and all their glory like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower wilts, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it" (Isa 40:6-7).

Whether we acknowledge it or not,  we are going forward daily toward death. As the psalm says: "A short span you have made my days, and my life is as naught before you; only  a breath is any human existence"( Ps 39:6). Although life on this earth is short, it does not prevent us from constantly looking for happiness during our short stay here.

So what is happiness in this situation? What do we need to do to find happiness?  The answer can be found, he says, in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter five to seven, but especially in the fifth chapter, containing the Beatitudes.  The sermon on the mount was from ancient times considered the center piece of the New Testament,  and the main point of Christ's teachings. St. Augustine said that in the sermon of the mount we can find the pattern of Jesus' life, and the complete teaching on the commandments.

Beginning with the eight steps for entering God's kingdom, we are shown the way to form ourselves in the image of Jesus. We are taught how to grow closer to God and to possess him. Before Augustine, St. Irenaeus said,  "Humans are on earth to enjoy God, to feel, love and possess him."  Another way to express this is to say we are on earth to discover Jesus, to live according to his word, to appreciate  and enjoy him. By doing this we will come to the fullest understanding of what is meant by finding happiness in our lives.

Granted that we all want happiness, what is the difference between wanting happiness and being happy? When  I say  I am happy at this moment, I am truly  happy.  When I  say I  want to be happy we are either less happy or unhappy and searching for happiness. So who is the happy person?

Misuse of the Mass Media

The mass media in Korea, like the rest of the world, is subject to criticism for the way it transmits the news. In the Peace Weekly column on the Diagnosis of Current Events, the writer explores a serious problem in  journalism: the ideological battles that are given prominent exposure on front pages of newspapers and in opening remarks on news channels throughout the world. He considers this the primary reason for the divisions in society. Uplifting concepts like mutual respect and compromise, reconciliation, solidarity, trust, win-win outcomes, and peace are nowhere to be found. And when we look deeper, he says, beneath the maneuvering for advantages and power, we see an increase of ideology, not less, with a stubbornness of  will that refuses to give an inch. In such confrontations, the point at issue becomes clouded, the willingness to re-think positions disappears. News sources, often trying to get their readers to join their  ideological stance, are further alienating many of their readers. 

As these efforts continue pitting one side against the other: conservatives against  progressives, left against right,  pro-Japanese against anti-Japanese, pro-Communist against anti-Communists, the battle between the different ideologies tends to intensify, fostering divisions and conflict within society.

The first obligation of media, according to the writer, is to present the facts accurately, objectively and fairly, and only then present their opinions. When discussing the same issue or event the facts should be the same, says the writer, as he reminds us of the saying of Confucius that we should be strictly fair when we criticize. But what frequently happens in presenting the news is the lack of differentiating between opinion and facts. If, for instance, it's reported that "Mr. Kim said the chances are great that  (A) did it," it makes it seem this is the objective fact.

He then shows, with examples, how this is done in many news articles. Objective, accurate facts are not presented as such, but appear introduced by terms such as "often we hear...it was heard...it was said...it seems...one foresees."  We are not told "who did the hearing...who said what...who sees and foresees." This is one way the news source makes it seem that the majority goes along with their understanding, thus confirming that they are a reliable news source.

The second obligation of media is not to abuse the use of anonymity of the news-gatherer. There are times this is required, but this is overly used by such reporting:as "a party concerned...a key person...a specialist...news services, and the like. When these terms are routinely used to promote the editorial policy of the paper,  there is likely to be a distortion of the news, and at times the paper creates a public personality, whose aspirations are most often political, and who supports the ideological position of the paper.

He concludes the column with a quote from Pope Francis: 'We must not be blinded by greed for profit and power." He goes on to plead for all those who at this time of Christmas are fighting over issues of advantages and power, and hopes sincerely that they will find  peace.

What Is Meant By Success?

On the spiritual page of the Catholic Times, the priest columnist recalls being invited to a  play directed by a former classmate, and being filled with pride for his success. After the play there were two tables set up where  they all sat and began discussing the evening's event. At the table directly in front of the stage was sitting a good-looking young man who the columnist hadn't noticed as part of the cast. During the conversation, he learned that he was behind the stage, responsible for the lighting.

There were many seated at the tables that had worked behind the scenes, out of sight of the audience. The columnist blamed his own ignorance for not knowing what was happening behind the stage when the actors were on stage. He was surprised to see how many of them, working quietly and unknown to most of the audience, were responsible for producing what was seen on stage. 
 
During the discussion at the table  the man working on the lighting turned to the priest and said: "Father,  I am a farmer from nearby. I work during the day farming, but in  the evenings I come here to take care of the lighting for the performance."  The priest stood up  and gave him a bow. "I have a feeling of pride in hearing you say, so openly, that you are a farmer."

"What is it about a farmer that is so praiseworthy? asked the young man. "it was the way you made known that you were a farmer that impressed me," the priest replied.

The priest then went on to mention that at a nearby high school, close to where he lives, there was a placard with the message: "We are proud to have a special talk from one  of our alumni."  This talk, said the priest, would no doubt give the students  a dream that someday they will also be able to succeed in life as this alumnus had done. But we know it is not only what appears to the eyes of the onlooker that is  praiseworthy. Also praiseworthy are people who, like the young farmer, without fanfare and very quietly, do their work with pride.  If we consider only a person's credentials and position in society, and the honor that comes with the position, something is seriously missing in our value system, the priest said. Referring to the placard  at the alma mater  of the successful graduate, he wondered if this is not just reinforcing the feeling of many that honor is the goal for  success in life.
 
Unknowingly, we can be fostering, he believes, what we dislike without thought of the result of  our  words and actions  Whatever we do has all kinds of ramifications and, perhaps thankfully, we are not conscious of them most of the time. Because there is just so much that we can handle at any one time, it may be helpful to pray for the strength and courage to do something about our incorrect thinking, when we are ready for that change.

The columnist ends the column by noting that when we find satisfaction and joy in what we do, even if it does not bring us honor in the eyes of world, we are living a praiseworthy life.

"Good News to the Whole World"

Christmas is a time of joy, a time to think of the many who find life difficult.  Efforts are made to bring  joy into the  lives of those who, for one reason or another, do not have the things we associate with the good life.  Parishes, organizations, many religious groups, and others, during this season, go out to the sick, alienated, and the poor to bring some joy into their lives.

The secular papers displayed a picture of Buddhist monks in one of the temples in Seoul, lighting the Christmas tree they had set up on their grounds. The picture, showing the monks and children dressed up in Santa Claus uniforms, was their way of showing respect for another religion in a very telling way.

Both Catholic papers reflected on the Feast Day with editorials and articles. The Gospel message for Christmas Day proclaims: “Today a great light has come upon the earth.” The Word has come to live with us. It is a  day of  joy. However, the archbishop of Seoul, in his Christmas message, mentions that more so than we have seen in the past an atheistic materialism and secularist world view is being nurtured. And, perhaps as a consequence, 60 years after the cease fire, we are not advancing on the way of peace  but being surrounded with the harsh realities of a cold war mentality. The culture of death is making progress, the  rich are getting richer and the poor are getting poorer. The situation is fostering division and  strife. 
 
Where are we to find the joy of Christians in such a world? the editorial asks. All our bishops have stressed the need for harmony, mutual understanding, unity and co-existence. Jesus is a good example of the direction we should be going.
 
Leaving the joy of this time to a once-a-year event is not quite what is meant. As Christians, we should understand and live the example that Jesus gave us by relating to the poor and the lowly of his  society, not only in words but in action. This is also our task. The editorial wants us to turn our eyes to the poor, the migrant workers, and the weak of society. Jesus has given us an unmistakeable visual aid to accomplish this task, by the circumstances of his birth in a manger that is difficult to misinterpret.

The message of Christmas: "Then I saw another angel flying in the mid-heaven, the herald of  everlasting good news to  the whole world, to every nation and race, language and people " (Rev. 14:6). If we as Christians do not live in the light, we will not help overcome the darkness of society.
 
Buddhists, in their own messages, mentioned the lowliness and sharing and sacrifice  that Jesus showed us as an example to follow. The Buddhist monks have given us another outstanding example of how we can break down some of the walls we continue to erect, blocking our understanding of each other. Such efforts of communication in no way dilute or compromise what we believe. They are simply good will efforts to understand and respect the other as brothers and sisters of the human family.  A Blessed Christmas!

Ambassador Han Speaks About Korea-Holy See Relations

SOUTH KOREA - VATICAN
Ambassador Han looks at 50 years of Korea-Holy See relations, the Gospel and the common good
by Thomas Han Hong-soon*

Vatican City (AsiaNews) - This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the establishment of full diplomatic relations between South Korea and the Holy See. For the occasion, today 19 December, the Secretary of State Mgr Pietro Parolin celebrated a Mass at the chapel of the Pontifical Korean College in Rome, in the presence of worshipers, ambassadors and chargés d'affaires. AsiaNews asked the Hon Thomas Han Hong-soon to assess these 50 years. The Hon Han was the ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Holy See from 2010 until 2013. A few weeks ago, he was replaced by Mr Francis Kim Kyung-Surk.

Relations between the Vatican and Seoul have been strong for a long time, even from before the 50 years we are now celebrating. In fact, Korea and the universal Church had relations even before the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Holy See and the Republic of Korea.

It is important to stress how much the Catholic Church has contributed to Korea's human and social development, starting in the early days of the Catholic Church in Korea, even under persecution. Afterward, with the presence of the missionaries, Christians contributed to the country's modernization and planted the seeds of human development.

An example of this is the experience of equality between human beings and the dissemination of a culture of love. In the early Korean Christian communities, masters sat next to slaves, in a sign of brotherhood. This was something unimaginable before Christianity.

The Church has always had at heart the common good of the nation. After Vatican II, its contribution to development - with a momentum towards democracy and justice - was even greater.

From a political point of view, it should be noted that even under Japanese colonial rule (1905-1945), the Holy See never ceased to recognize Koreans as a people and as a nation.

At the end of the Second World War, even before Korea was recognized by the international community as a sovereign nation (1948), the Holy See sent an Apostolic Delegate in 1947. Thus, the Holy See was the first country to recognize modern Korea, even before the UN.

The Apostolic Delegate to Korea Patrick Byrne (1888-1950), a Maryknoll missionary, never left the country, not even after the Communist aggression from the North. For this reason, he was arrested and died of starvation and cold in the so-called "death marches" inflicted by the Pyongyang regime. We consider him a martyr. The Holy See tried to share this difficult time with the Korean people.

Fifty years of diplomatic relations have boosted even more the Church's contribution to the Korean people and are another reason to give thanks for this tie. The Church has contributed in every way to the dignity of the people, collectively and individually, in terms of human rights, justice, and above all charity. Even with regards to North Korea, the Church continues to push for reconciliation.

Trying to unify the two Koreas without true reconciliation is meaningless. I am very excited to think back over all these years, looking closely at the special contribution the Holy See and the Church made to the country.

Some surveys have noted this. In a recent survey by a Buddhist organization, the Catholic religion comes first as the most valued and important religion in Korea. Why is this? Because of the commitment and unity the Catholic Church shows and experiences with the Holy See. The Korean Church exists in actual and affective communion with the Holy Father.

This has also led to a staggering growth in the number of faithful. In 1960 the Catholic Church had 500,000 members. Today we are 5.5 million, or 11 per cent of the population. And the more we go up the social ladder - intellectuals, cultural sector, business - the higher the percentage.

Korea is perhaps the only country in the world where the Catholic Church has grown hand in hand with economic development. The increase in economic prosperity and materialism has often been associated with a decline in faith, but Korea dispels this link since the Christian faith has expanded along with economic growth.

The poll I mentioned -by a Buddhist research institute - indicates that over the next 30 years more than half of the Korean population will be Catholic, approximately 25 million or 56 per cent of the total by 2044.

In fact, the Catholic Church has doubled its membership every ten years. In 1985 there were 1.86 million Catholics; they were 2.95 million in 1999 and 5.24 million in 2005. At this pace, we can realistically expect the Catholic Church to be largest group in the country.

All this comes from what the Catholic Church is offering the country: unity, above all unity with the pope. In the 1980s we had the privilege of receiving Pope John Paul II twice (in 1984 and 1989). The coming of the Polish pope was a great gift for evangelization, for the pope is always the most effective missionary and has always been very well received by the Korean population.

Even Pope Francis has had real impact on Koreans. After seeing him express his joy, sense of charity, and love for the sick, many Koreans are taking an interest in the Catholic faith in order to be baptized. For this reason, a visit by Pope Francis to Korea, next year perhaps, would be important. The purpose is evangelization is that of pushing further the culture of love, a love that comes from the Lord.

The growth of the Catholic Church in Korea means that I cannot separate my identity as a Korean from that of a Catholic. The humanization of Korea flows from evangeliaation. This is always the greatest gift that the Church can offer to a country. Therefore, Korea will always be grateful to the Holy See and the Catholic Church.

All the teachings of the Holy Father - catechesis, social doctrine, etc. - must be implemented through the local Church and people in Korea, and the Holy See is grateful to the Korean people for this. Sometimes, the Church's contribution has led to tensions over issues like justice, democracy, ecology . . . . But this does not mean that it has not been appreciated.

For me, the time I spent as an ambassador was a time of abundant grace. In my work I have tried to boost relations between Korea and the Vatican on behalf of the common good.

An ambassador is usually seen as someone sent abroad to lie for his country. I have never had to do that because there is no diplomatic competition or conflicting interests with the Holy See. The Holy See and my country share the same interest in promoting and working for the common good.

Ambassadors to the Holy See do not have to lie; they can be safely honest. When I was unexpectedly appointed ambassador, I felt like the ass in the Last Supper (cf. Matthew, 21:2), which the apostles took on the Lord's order because "The master has need of" him. As "ass" I tried to do my best. At the end of my mandate, I ideally want to say that as Saint Paul said, "I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith."

Now I can go home, return to Korea as an ambassador, but as a Catholic, I remain tied to the Vatican (as a member of the Pontifical Council for the Laity). As for the future, I place myself in God's hands; he has always looked after me, in all my plans and beyond.

Such a strong link between a country in the Far East and the Holy See might also show neighboring countries how to manage such relationships. China comes to mind for example. But it all depends on the attitudes Chinese leaders have towards the Holy See, how they see the role of the Catholic Church in China and the world.

Today, the Holy See has diplomatic relations with 180 countries and its role in support of the common good is seen by everyone as highly positive. The absence of diplomatic relations with the Holy See deprives China of a very important contribution in the globalized world.

* Thomas Han was born on 17 August 1943. Married with three children, he is a graduate in economics from Seoul National University (1965), in social sciences (economics) from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1971), and has an honorary doctorate in Law from the Fu Jen Catholic University in Taiwan. He was a lecturer in economics at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in Seoul (1972-2008), and a member of the Catholic Lay Apostolate Council of Korea (1984-2010). In addition to various national and international posts, he was also a member of the International College of Auditors of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See (2008-2010) as well as Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Holy See (2010-2013).

Unity With the Pope: A Sign of Catholicism

Korea is a small country with a very well organized infrastructure  and blessed with  one language and culture. The Catholic Church has benefited greatly from this basic homogeneity in the work of evangelization. We have the appearance of unity, which at times gives way to partisan concerns  of the members. This is not surprising for the Church is a part of the society in which we live, but when the issues are serious enough to pit one group against the other, it causes concern.


Over the years the different factions, political  or philosophical have not often surfaced  to need a spotlight,  but recently this has not been the case, and one of the columnists alludes to this right beside the editorial in the Catholic Times, which  considers the problem serious enough to bring it to the attention of the  readers. Especially after finishing the Year of Faith, which was meant to grow closer to Jesus, become more familiar with his teaching, and to renew ourselves and the Church.

With the retirement of Pope Benedict and the beginning of the  papacy of Pope Francis we have a new beginning. Francis wants the Church in preaching the Gospel  to be missionary and to  understand the social dimension of the message and bring about the internal renewal and reform. He is making this clear by his words and actions wanting to energize the Church.

With this as a background, the editorial  mentions that many priests, religious, and lay people who are sensitive to the political issues in society are expressing their views, which are giving rise to discord and conflict within the Church. The evils that are seen in society are connected  to our understanding of justice  and when this is expressed, we have  hostility and division.

The editorial goes on to say  they do not see this tension and  discord completely  as something negative. The Church is made up of members of society and consequently, to have differences of opinion on some  matters is not strange. However, this disunity should not harm our community and the love we have for one another that comes from the Gospel message of Jesus.
 
We need to have respect for one another, and patiently work to communicate in  dialogue  wanting to understand the  other, and  remembering  the fellowship and unity that we have been called to embrace as disciples. We are coming to the end of the calendar year, and we should ask ourselves how we are preparing for the New Year.

Even though we have a difference of opinion, we should not resort to propaganda, deny the existence of the other or condemn the other. This is a way of entering the new year with  peace. The accompanying column mentions that the Pope was said to be a Marxist which of course, he denied, but it should help those who have difficulty with the Church getting involved in what some consider politics, something to think about.