Overcoming Dichotomy

It is the era of dichotomy. The new virus splits the human world in two: negative and positive. The new borders and divisions have not only divided our society and the world into segments but have also determined our movements or even when we are to leave our homes. The writer in the Diagnosis of the Times article in the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers some thoughts in the world we are entering.  

If you think about it, human history without exaggeration is a history of dichotomy. First, there is a black-and-white logic that embraces those who think like I do and excludes those who don't. Historically, human society is a strategy of integration, conflict, war, aggression, alliance, cooperation converging in two ways: those we embrace and those we exclude.

We divide human existence into two domains, the soul and the body, and further expand it into spirit and matter. The study of the realm of the soul and mind has spread to religion, philosophy, humanities, and even psychology and psychiatry. The study of the body has diversified into medicine, and from there to physics, chemistry, biology, and geoenvironmental science exploring the whole world of things.

And the dichotomy that hit our world with a new paradigm at the end of the 20th century is the differentiation of analog and digital, which we often call offline and online. Or it can be divided into the world of atoms, particles of matter, and the world of bits, which represents the unit of information online. The real world is offline, but when I connect to the electronic information and communication network I  enter the virtual world, my thoughts become part of the online world. The body is in the office, but the mind is in the stock market, or the body is sitting in a cafe, my fingers bring me into the world of shopping.
 

Creativity, which is often emphasized these days, comes from crossing the boundaries of this dichotomy. We have been living in an online world: multiplicity, multilayer, hybridity, and different space and time world but it is true that the mind, for a longer time, has been familiar with the world of matter, offline.

New viruses have made us fearful of physical 'contact' and infection, and now online schooling, internet education, videoconferencing, telecommuting, and work from home are rapidly becoming commonplace. A new order,  and even if the corona19 virus infection is over, it will be difficult to return to the previous lifestyle and social customs.

With the emergence of electronic networks from the end of the 20th century, we have the popularity of the Internet, online and cyberspace,  We hear about the “Digilog” theory that emphasized the harmony of digital and analog. [What we see with the eyes is converted into something analogous which is the analog, the digital, what is seen with the eyes is changed into a number].  

We are forced to embody 'Digilog' in real life. We need not worry for we will all get used to it. When Sir Tim Berners Lee of England founded the World Wide Web, its philosophy was open, shared, and engaged. If you can't make physical contact, connect.  As long as there is a 'network' to maintain relationships, our community will work.

Maturing of Korean Catholicism

The World Congress of 'SIGNIS', is a gathering of Catholics from around the world engaged in the communication fields: TV, radio, movies, and the Internet, their meeting will be held in Korea in 2021. An article in the recent issue of the Catholic Peace Weekly by the Korean representative gives us some ideas of the movement.

The World chairman sent a message to SIGNIS Korea saying: "I approve the hosting of the SIGNIS World Congress in Seoul and hope this meeting will contribute to the peace on the Korean Peninsula and the Korean church to communicate with the world church." 

The official name is the World Catholic Communication Association and is currently working with international organizations. The SIGNIS world headquarters are in Brussels, Belgium and the Secretariat is in Rome. There are over 100 member countries worldwide, and about 500 members in Korea. The SIGNIS World Congress will be held in August 2021 at Sogang University. More than 300 world Catholic journalists will be visiting Korea, and a great opportunity to make known the work of Korean Catholicism.

Imagination is needed everywhere. Recently Korea has been in the international news with its efforts on control of the Coronavirus. What is called the 'Korean Wave' is spreading out beyond songs, TV dramas, and Korean food.

In 2014, the writer went to an overseas Catholic Convention for the first time. It was a meeting of Asian Catholic communicators, members of SIGNIS. He felt very uncomfortable since it was his first meeting outside the country. There were a number of participants who wanted the next meeting to be in Korea. The host country, Indonesia, during a celebration performance a woman sang Arirang in Korean and the last song was the Korean pop song Because of You, sung by all.

Korea's Catholic activities within the Cursillo Movement were noted. There are more than 5.5 million Curisillistas in 67 countries in the world, and 220,000 in Korea. They regularly meet in each parish. In particular, it is said that there is even a young men's group. He admits that he doesn't have all the facts but he wonders if there are any countries where the Legion of Mary is as active as in Korea.
 
Laity's work can also be found right from the beginning of Catholicism. Korean Catholics brought faith to the country without direct help from foreign missionaries. The ancestors of the present believers gathered themselves to practice and study Catholicism and begged a priest to be dispatched from Beijing. In the midst of persecution, many lay people were martyred along with the foreign missionaries. The holy traces of the 103 saints and the 124 blessed are present all over the country.  
  
'Seoul’s Catholic Pilgrimage Route' was proclaimed as Asia’s first official international pilgrimage site by the Vatican. The recognition as an international pilgrimage site was made official at the proclamation ceremony sponsored by the Archdiocese of Seoul.

In the course of the corona quarantine, Koreans were able to take pride in what they accomplished, getting rid of some of the timidity, overwhelmed by Western culture. Korea in only a half a century was one of the only countries that achieved economic growth and democratization at the same time.
 
There is also the objection that the gap between rich and poor widened during the rapid process of growth and social conflict deepened. The church also heard criticism that internal growth did not match the external growth and hearing that we are a  'well-being church' was stinging. The body grew but the spirit remained immature.
 
The body develops first, the mind gradually matures and becomes an adult. Korean Catholics have already turned from being a receiving church to one that shares. Korean missionaries go to South America, Africa, and even Europe. Korean Catholics, have achieved external growth and working to achieve qualitative growth, the Catholic Korean Wave is becoming a reality, not only a dream.

Alternatives to Neoliberal Economics

Economic inequality and church teaching is an issue many find difficult to accept. The teaching of the Catholic Church is provoking a lot of static from many sectors of society and also from the Christians. The Church sees the free market as a new dictatorship and Economic Democracy is an answer. 

The topic was featured in a recent issue of the Catholic Times. Why is the income gap between the rich and the poor widening? One of the big reasons for the dissatisfaction in society is the economic roots being planted. The economy can be thought of as irrelevant to religion, but it is a serious matter in the life of God's people. It affects greatly the human life of 99% of the population excluding the top 1%. 

Korea entered the manufacturing-oriented industrial society during the Park Jung-hee regime. Korea, which achieved rapid economic growth, naturally changed its structure as a service-oriented post-industrial society through the 1990s. Due to the difference in productivity between the manufacturing and service industries, the latter lagged behind.

The Korean loans to industry were not economically wisely made and were not able to overcome the foreign exchange crisis. On November 21, 1997, Korea filed a bailout with the IMF. The IMF demanded a tightening economic operation (high-interest rate) and structural reforms. The economic recession intensified and more than 10,000 companies went bankrupt. At the time, the economic growth rate was -5.5%. However, Korea, which recovered through the efforts of all the people, was freed from the 'IMF system' in August 2001, repaying the bailout.

The Korean economy is a neoliberal market economy. Neoliberalism is an economic system that criticizes the state's intervention in the market and places importance on the functioning of the market and free activities of the private sector. The 'money makes money' structure guarantees the free pursuit of capital, and is criticized as the cause of inequality. 

The Catholic Church is concerned about the unequal economy caused by the neoliberal market economy. If the top 1% has the majority of wealth, and 99% of the poor continues as is, we have the causes of polarization in almost all areas: politics, society, and culture. Pope Francis also called this polarization a 'new dictatorship' in The Joy of the Gospel and warns that the deepening of the polarization goes against the common good. 

"While the earnings of a minority are growing exponentially, so too is the gap separating the majority from the prosperity enjoyed by those happy few. This imbalance is the result of ideologies which defend the absolute autonomy of the marketplace and financial speculation. Consequently, they reject the right of states, charged with vigilance for the common good, to exercise any form of control. A new tyranny is thus born, invisible and often virtual, which unilaterally and relentlessly imposes its own laws and rules" (#56). 

Regarding the neoliberal market economy, the Catholic Church suggested an alternative direction called 'economic democracy'. In the second Vatican Council document: The Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World, 'right economic development' should not be left in the hands of a handful of people with excessive economic power, but should serve human beings. Even Pope Benedict XVI does not rule out the pursuit of profit in the Encyclical God is Love but supports ethical business activities that use the profit for greater social purposes in civil society, referred to as the 'citizen economy' or 'community economy' 

The article concludes with the example of the Mondragon Cooperative in Spain. A company that consistently creates new employment and stable growth without a single layoff. It can't be explained by the neo-liberal market economy logic and it began 64 years ago.

The Mondragon Cooperative is operated with trust and solidarity. All members, regardless of the number of their contributions, exercise their intentions on important matters, such as selecting a board of directors and appointing management by exercising one vote per person. When an important issue arises regarding the union's policy or direction, the union communicates with the members from a long-term perspective and work towards a consensus. 

It's not competition, but trust and solidarity that is the answer. It's the image of the early church community recorded in the Bible. Mondragon's example teaches us that we can hope to pursue the building of the kingdom of God together with trust and solidarity.

Solving Poverty In the New Normal Era

A social welfare critic in a recent Catholic Peace Weekly article predicted that the 'New Normal' era will be one step closer, ahead of what most countries predicted. The spread of corona19 has changed what was unusual to what is normal: social distancing. Elementary, middle, and high school students are entering this new normal. Non-face-to-face consumer life is our new everyday life—online school, telecommuting, robot cafes, and unmanned stores.

Analysis of social issues can be conducted through offline and online lectures, but it is still a cautious situation mentioning the effects of the new normal era when our society is not ready. Besides, the high unemployment rate is a big concern. The hardest hit were subcontractors, non-regular and special employment workers, and unregistered migrant workers who were forced to return to their home countries after being fired—unable to find another job. Even though the government announced plans to raise the level of subsidy for employment maintenance and lower the conditions for a subsidy, about 8.5 million people will still be overlooked.

Attention to a universal basic income as a policy facing the Corona 19 pandemic is debated. Thomas More and John Stuart Mill suggested this as a solution to poverty many years ago. The point here is that the state regularly pays individuals so that all citizens enjoy a minimal human life.

Basic income builds empathy in that it can eliminate blind spots and reduce welfare management costs as a solution to poverty due to reduced jobs and increased inequality that the upcoming science and technology revolution will bring. On the other hand, by reducing the willingness to work, it can cause social boredom and debauchery, and increasing taxes to secure financial resources has faced overwhelming opposition in many quarters.

Pope Francis regards unemployment as a global tragedy and has repeatedly emphasized the importance of jobs. To give dignity to humans labor is more important than money— better to work steadily through a job. Labor is not only concerned with the ability to take responsibility for oneself and others, but it also has great spiritual significance and values ​​that must be respected. The Pope believes that for true human development to take place, labor must be guaranteed, and the common good, stable employment ensured by the logic of solidarity, true growth of the community is achieved.

This issue will be with us for some time and debate on the pros and cons will be part of the New Normal era. The writer believes that this is the only viable alternative since this cannot be done only by strengthening the existing welfare system.

Rather than politics and ideological debate on welfare policy, we need to prepare a practical plan for change by facing reality and identifying it accurately. The state cannot solve everything. A response to the New Normal era that came without notice is to focus on the human dignity of the person and labor.

Migrant Workers In Korea

Korea during the latter part of the Joseon dynasty was called the hermit kingdom. You often hear the term used even today to describe pre-modern Korea even by Koreans. The Joseon Dynasty was known for its isolation policy for fear of foreign invasions. 

The fear of foreigners was not completely unjustified for they were invaded from Japan and Manchuria. This fear of foreigners has changed greatly in modern times; the influx of foreigners after the Korea War was a big change.

A diocesan priest working with migrant workers gives the readers of the Weekly Bulletin some of his thoughts on the virus and the foreign workers in Korea. Working with foreign workers during the coronavirus pandemic he experienced the difficulties of foreigners in Korea in a way that surprised him.

 He has received many calls from Christians concerned about his health but in the end, they inevitably mention the fear they have for him working among the foreigners and request that he be careful with his health.

The Coronavirus is a worldwide pandemic and the possibility of coming in from the outside is always a possibility especially now that the country seems to have contained the virus.[Today all the cases reported numbered 6 and they all have been imported from outside the country]. Where does the fear come from? The foreign workers are living in Korea and yet the fear is that they may be spreading the virus, in the minds of some. This is the question he doesn't like to face. Why would they consider the foreigners living in Korea a problem?

 During the corona pandemic and working with the foreign workers he realized how difficult it was for a foreigner to live in Korea. When the number of confirmed coronavirus cases where increasing foreigners were able to contact Call Center in their language but this was no easy task. The information was of little help to foreigners. They felt lost on where to go for masks or tests, consequently, his pastoral workers were extremely busy.

 It was during this time that he as a Korean was proud of seeing the way the citizens were helping each other and showing concern for their neighbors and seeking to help when they had the opportunity. Koreans showed a strong understanding of solidarity with one another which the writer found commendable but it didn't include the foreigner. They are our neighbors, living in Korea, contributing to our society but the objects of suspicion and prejudice and placed outside the help of the welfare system. This is not fair or just. He wants us to reflect on this.

Nowadays our society is coming out of the tunnel in which we found ourselves. We have returned to attending Mass. The foreigners are also wanting to return to Mass, however, because of the expression on the faces of the Christians and their prejudice and doubts they are being asked to continue the psychological distancing.

He finishes the article with the story of the Canaanite woman who only wanted the crumbs from the table that fell to the floor. The migrant workers are thankful for the work they have in the country and would be thankful for any kindness shown them during this difficult time.

Catholic Church Statistics (2019)

The Catholic Times featured an article on the recent Catholic statistics published for the year 2019. The number of believers was 5,914,669. The number of church members increased slightly from the previous year but the growth rate relative to the total population was the same as last year. The ratio of believers to the total population is 11.1% but the growth rate slowed.

Fortunately, the number of members who are attending Mass and participation in the Sacramental Life, an indication of the faith of believers, has increased slightly.

On April 27, the Episcopal Conference released Korean Catholic Church Statistics 2019, a total survey of 16 dioceses of the country. According to the statistics, the growth rate of believers and the rate of evangelization is stagnant. In particular, the increased rate of believers compared to the previous year gradually declined to under 1% per year, except for 2.2% in 2014, when Pope Francis visited Korea, the lowest level at 0.8% was recorded in 2019.

The weekly Mass attendance rate was 18.3%, which was the same as in 2018. The rate of participation in the Easter Confessions and Communion was also 31.4%, up 0.1% from the previous year. Compared with the 2018 statistics, Confirmations decreased by 2.7%, but it is encouraging that the number of believers who received the Sacrament of the Sick (4.4%), First Communion (4.2%), and Easter Confession (0.4%), increased. In the 2018 statistics, all the sacraments except for the sick decreased from the previous year.

There are a total of 5,480 priests working in Korea, including two cardinals, 42 bishops, 5,333 Korean priests, and 147 foreign priests. This is an increase of 92 from the previous year. The number of parishes was 1,756, an increase of 9 from the previous year. There are 709 mission stations a decrease of 20 from the previous year.
 
The ratio of male and female believers was 42.8% for men and 57.2% for women which was similar to the 2018 statistics.

The number of priests has increased, but the number of seminary students continues to decline. The number of seminary students (priest aspirants) was 1,209, down 64 from the previous year. In 2019, the number of new students was 145 (123 diocesans and 22 for the religious orders and missionary societies). A decrease of 19 from the previous year.

The average number of believers per parish priest was 1,303, down 14 from the previous year.

The total number of marriages was 13,878 (5,160 sacramental marriages, 8,718 dispensation marriages), a decrease of 289 compared to the previous year. The ratio of the sacramental marriage to dispensation marriage is 37.2% to 62.8%.  The number of marriages in the church is decreasing every year.

The total number of Korean missioners sent to overseas missions was 79, down two from the previous year.  By continent, 1,112 missionaries are dispatched to Asia, (21) Africa, (19) South America (17 countries), and Europe (15 countries).

Environmentally Friendly Elections

Elections are an important exercise of a citizen's rights that determine the future of a country. However, is the current election method efficient in terms of information delivery, voter acceptance, and environmentally friendly? In the Peace Weekly, Peace Column a member of the Bishops' Committee on the environment gives the readers her opinion on elections and the environment.

According to the Central Election Commission data, during the 2018 local elections, there were 104,000 posters, 640 million copies of election bulletins, and 13,192 banners. In the 20th general election, we had some increase in these figures.

One media reported looking at the 2020 election demand for paper such as ballots and promotional printouts and looking ahead to the 21st general election: 8,500 tons would be generated. Already 20 years ago, the issue was raised and alternatives were proposed, but nothing has changed.

It is common to print banners before elections, on polyester materials, which are difficult to recycle because of the ink. Even if some of them are recycled, they cannot be put to good use. Eventually, most of them are incinerated emitting dioxin, a hazardous substance. The vast amount of paper used for pre-promotional materials, ballots, posters, etc., requires the cutting down of trees that help the Earth to breathe.
 
The world has changed, but the way the elections are conducted are still not environmentally friendly or effective. The method of distributing paper publications in the mail also needs to change. Paper publications are familiar to our generation, but those who follow are not used to it and they now have started voting. Most people have a smartphone, so they are familiar with the Internet environment. It is necessary to replace the existing paper mail with a text message link for those who want it and enable the voter to search for candidates and their positions on the website of the Central Election Commission as a basic rule.

Even now, many candidates have not submitted their pledges to the website of the Central Election Commission. Since Korea is an internet powerhouse, it would make it easy to search for the necessary candidates and their positions and review them when we want to, like searching for news articles on the Internet. This would save resources, protect the environment, and increase the efficiency of public relations and give voters more time to reflect.

In particular, the huge cost of elections comes from the tax of the people. Going to an eco-friendly election will also help with financial health. However, since it is important to provide fair information in the election, fundamental changes to the election promotion system are premised.

In this recent election because of Coronavirus, along with the ballot, we had the thermometer, hand sanitizer, disposable plastic gloves, and masks. The disposable plastic gloves distributed in the general election would pile up to the hight of one of the tallest buildings many times over. It was calculated the amount of greenhouse gas emissions because of the plastic gloves used in the election, would be the same as the greenhouse gas emissions generated during the life of 15 big cars. How much greenhouse gas is generated, with all the other needs of an election?

Eco Life also applies to elections. She hopes that Korea, the first country in the world to have an election during the Corona 19 era will create a new model of green elections for future generations.