"Justice Peace Integrity of Creation"

   The Catholic Times in a featured article gives the readers some idea of what and how the women religious are working in this area of mission. They are looking for the essence of apostolic activity in a prophetic role sensitive to the demands of the times.
 
Today, the concept that refers to the church’s participation in society is "Justice Peace Integrity of Creation". JPIC has been universalized in the church by religious, especially female religious, who are looking for the essence of apostolic activity in a prophetic role sensitive to the demands of the times. Consider why women religious see JPIC as their renewed role.
 
When imagining female religious, we usually picture them offering prayers in the church, caring for the sick, and children who have lost their parents. However, over the past decade, it is not unfamiliar to see nuns in numerous social scenes, shouting loudly for justice and peace, protection of life, and the ecological environment.
 
Nuns meet at the scene of injustice. It is not only recently that the religious have joined the scene of injustice. Since the Second Vatican Council, the Church has constantly strived for social justice and peace, and the religious have been with the priests and laity at the scene. When the spirit of the Council began to permeate into the Korean church and society, it was a period in which democratic order was destroyed by the dictatorship, social justice, and human rights violations were committed.
 
The Church has struggled at the forefront of political democratization, exposing injustice and striving to achieve justice. Women religious were also involved, but strictly speaking, the participation of priests and lay members in society at that time was remarkable, and the woman religious activities were relatively limited.
 
After political democratization took place, the church grew rapidly based on its reputation and trust as a bastion of the democratization movement. During this period, social participation was centered on the life and environmental movement, and their social participation was insignificant. However, since 2008, social participation activities within the church have been expanded. This trend has continued now in the form of the so-called (JPIC).
 
 In 1984, during the bicentennial pastoral meeting of the Catholic Church in Korea, the issue of religious women was discussed, and concerns about their identity and role in the renewal of the apostolate began in earnest. Concerns about religious life demanded a return to the founder's spirit, revitalization of their unique charisma, a prophetic role sensitively responding to the demands of the times.
 
Through the process of identification, the female religious recognized that their essential mission was to play a prophetic role. For about 10 years since 2008, they have realized the apostolate of this age is social participation.
 
The JPIC activities of female religious were organized by the leaders of the Catholic Association of Women Religious Orders rather than at the level of individual religious orders. A dedicated person was dispatched to the Social Pastoral Division (later the Life and Peace Division), which was the predecessor of JPIC, to secure professionalism, solidarity, and networking with others were strengthened. Naturally, related activists were nurtured and appointed in each religious order.
 
Expansion of JPIC for female religious is based on the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. After the Council, since 1966, the Vatican and the World Council of Churches (WCC) have discussed social justice issues in mutual exchanges. JPIC was first proposed by the World Federation of Reformed Churches (WARC), an association of Presbyterians, and was adopted at the WCC General Assembly held in Vancouver.
 
In 1990, the JPIC Seoul World Congress was held and the Catholic Church participated, making JPIC known in Korea as well. In particular, the reason this event was held in Seoul was in consideration of the situation of Korea as a divided country and the environmental destruction caused by years of dictatorship. Through this conference, the social movement of the Catholic Church expands the paradigm of justice and peace by adding the concept of an ecological environment.
 
Today, Korean women's religious groups perceive JPIC activities as a new apostolic role in the consecrated life of constant renewal. It is a return to the spirit of the founders an important direction for the religious who consecrate themselves to God and discern the demands of the times in prayer for the Church and the world. Such commitment is not exclusive to the religious but is the responsibility of all Christians who profess Jesus Christ as Lord.

Synodality and Dialogue

  

In October of last year, we began the two years of Synodality within the Church. A walking together: "By walking together, reflecting on the journey made, the Church will be able to learn from what it will experience which processes can help it to live communion, to achieve participation, to open itself to the mission."

In Korea, we have already experienced the Synod process in many dioceses. Spent time and money in discussions and plans to revive faith, hope, and love within the community, deepen our relationship with Christ, become more a community of faith that Christ meant us to be.

However, one big barrier is the lack of experience with the art of conversation. At present face-to-face conversations have decreased greatly. We have forgotten their importance. It is not only the Covid pandemic but the many means that are available for non-face-to-face contacts that have lessened our need for face-to-face conversation.

The connection with one another in a face-to-face conversation can not be replaced with digital technology. The face-to-face encounter is our natural way of encountering the other. With the meeting of the other, it is not only words that are exchanged.

"Not to talk with people although they can be talked with is to waste people. To talk with people although they can't be talked with is to waste words. A man of understanding does not waste people, but he also does not waste words." These words are from The Analects of Confucius.

In Korea at present because of masks, distancing and fear of the virus we have less face-to-face social contact than in the past. How this is affecting us is still not fully known, but electronic means will not fill the void.
 
The Catholic Church in Korea has for some time emphasized the meeting together in small groups within the parish community usually in village and district groups. Although unsatisfactory feelings were many forming basic Christian Communities was the hope: cooperation, fellowship, unity, and learning the art of conversation was envisioned.

In the beginning, the Bishops' Conference translated the Latin Synodalitas as Consultation but went back to the Latin word for fear that it would be seen as a human endeavor without the input of the Holy Spirit. Conversation (dialogue) reveals the human elements of our personality and in turn, humanizes us. 

It is not easy for us to share what is in our hearts with others. It requires training. Are you good at communicating? Can it be a heart-to-heart exchange? Most are less and less satisfied with superficial human contact. If you don't know certain facts, you may have gained something while contributing to the electronic society, but you will also have something to lose. You will not be familiar with what Jesus desired in dialogue. The dialogue that our church desires are not small talk, discussion, discourse, monologue, and conveying one-sided information, but exchanges of hearts on an equal footing.

"Like apples of Gold in a silver setting is a word that is aptly spoken" (Proverbs 25:11). We can develop the art of the aptly spoken word. This requires an attitude of reverence for the other, a willingness to hear and understand the views of others. Conversation requires giving and taking, questions and answers.

We all continue to pray that this coming Synod on Synodality will make for a holier and maturer Church and Christian. "We stand before You, Holy Spirit, as we gather together in Your name. With You alone to guide us, Make Yourself at home in our hearts; Teach us the way we must go and how we are to pursue it."

Leaving Behind His Idol

 

The Catholic Digest in its recent issue has an article by a medical doctor on his parting from his idol.

As a young doctor, his idol was not some famous entertainer or author but doctor Christiaan Barnard (1922-2001). In South Africa, in 1967 he was the first doctor in the world to successfully perform a heart transplant. Today heart transplants are not rare news but in 1967 it was like the first person setting foot on the moon.

In one day he became the world's most celebrated person. Popularity drove him in a not-so-good direction. He was associated romantically with some famous actresses, his family broke up, he divorced his wife and married an heiress who was about the age of his son and divorced, after 3 divorces on a vacation he died of an asthma attack. The writer's idol in this way disappeared from the world stage.

He met the doctor for the first time in his third year of medical school. Dr. Barnard came to his hospital for a lecture and received the mass-media spotlight— more reporters in the auditorium than medical personnel. The doctor was able to talk to Doctor Barnard for a few minutes and shook his hand. He didn't want to wash his hands after the encounter.

Five years ago he visited South Africa and wanted to visit the museum at the Groote Schuur Hospital. The world's most famous personality 15 years after his death was even forgotten by his hometown.

He wanted to visit the museum, but since he was with a group he took time from his hotel stay at lunchtime to go to the museum. The museum was only 10 minutes away. A rather shaggy placard met his eyes with the words: Cape Town Heart Museum-World's First Heart Transplant—

He opened the door and a middle-aged woman told him the museum would open at 3:00 pm for 2 hours. He would have to come back at 3:00 pm. Like a well-rehearsed monologue, he told the woman the reasons he wanted to visit the museum from the time he shook the hand of the doctor many years before. The doctor suffered from arthritic hands how long did he continue with surgery? He asked the woman. He told the woman that he was with a group and would not be able to come again at three. He wanted to have a picture with the doctor even if it was only a photograph. The woman reluctantly gave him permission. He was free to visit the museum and was thankful to the woman and since it was not time, she didn't accept any entrance fee.

In the museum was a beeswax image of the doctor at a desk with a telephone in his hand. These are the words that he seemed to be whispering to him. "Doctor Yom do not try to be a hero, enjoy every moment that comes." His words stung as if he knew who was standing before him. "Do everything to the best of your ability out of love with all those with whom you associate. Wanting to be remembered is of no value and life is too valuable to do so."

In his hometown, they have forgotten him. Christiaan Barnard his idol he sadly left behind leaving the museum which had few visitors. The woman at the desk who allowed him to enter the museum will be remembered more so than his idol of years past.

Vote For Carbon Neutrality

2022 is here. This year is rare since we will have not only presidential but the local elections. A medical doctor in his column in the Catholic Peace Weekly has some thoughts that he wants us to keep in mind during this election time.
 
There will be numerous issues addressed in the election. In particular, the Corona pandemic, which has lasted for two years, has changed not only Korean society but also the whole world, and the post-COVID world is inevitably different from the previous one, so responding to Corona is important. In addition, this corona crisis is actually caused by indiscriminate destruction of nature and climate change, the task of responding to climate change and achieving a sustainable and Eco-friendly transformation should be reflected in this election. In particular, the issue of climate crisis must be dealt with seriously as the survival of mankind is at stake.
 
Even in 2021 alone, there was a cold wave that reached Texas in the United States, and a power outage was caused by it. Extremely high temperatures in California, Greece, and Australia have caused large-scale fires, and low-lying areas have been flooded with rising sea levels. The problem is that things will continue to get worse in the future. According to the analysis of climate scientists, the current extreme weather is nothing more than a warming effect due to the carbon emitted by mankind in the 1990s. It is said that the aftermath of the enormous greenhouse gas we are emitting now will come in the next 10 years or so.
 
Therefore, the issue of stopping greenhouse gas emissions is not a task that can be postponed. Of course, it is not a problem that can be solved only by Korea, but the participation of Korea, one of the major industrial countries, is now essential. We need to start a fierce and specific discussion about how to reach carbon neutrality right now. Korea is criticized for making only incomplete transition plans, in its 'National Greenhouse Gas Reduction Goal'.
 
Unfortunately, even before the presidential election, there has been little discussion about responding to the climate crisis or making a transition after Corona. Expansion-oriented economic policies represented by economic growth rates and stock indices are still the main topic of discussion, and energy transition policies are on the back burner of the major advanced countries. Even if we prepare now, it will take decades to reverse climate change and a new infectious disease response system.
 
Of course, the limitations of our society's intellectuals and environmental activists who have been major advocates for this issue also played a part in this. This is the case in that solving the climate problem was limited to individual practice and eco-friendly consumption, or it was only a huge discourse at the level of scientific information transmission and propaganda. Therefore, the value of carbon neutrality and a transitional direction must be included in all policies.
 
Another example is the expansion of Eco-friendly transportation means such as public transportation and bicycles and electric vehicles. In addition to citizen health and convenience, this also needs to be expanded and introduced to all regions.
 
Education measures can be a means for carbon neutrality through balanced regional development and preventing concentration in metropolitan areas. Carbon neutrality touches all areas of our lives only when we reveal how many policy tasks are linked to measures to prevent the climate crisis and design to reduce greenhouse gases. At least once in the presidential debate, the focus should be on the climate crisis.
 
It is now the responsibility of intellectuals and politicians to evaluate all policies in this year's elections both mid-to-long-term tasks to respond to the climate crisis and provide alternatives. And in that evaluation, you have to speak now: Let's vote for carbon neutrality.

Understandiing Human Disasters to Prevent Them

 

Two human disasters in Korea have been highlighted these past few years: the Sewol Ferry disaster and the Humidifier Disinfectant disaster, often mentioned in the press. A lawyer in the Catholic Peace Weekly Diagnosis of the Times column brings the issue to the readers. 

The activities of the 'Corruption Committee', which started in 2018, have entered their fifth year. Since November of last year, we have reviewed the results of previous investigations into the Sewol ferry and the humidifier disinfectant disaster in an open meeting of all members. This year the Committee activity period is ending. Families of the victims and the general public need to understand what happened as a basis for preventing a recurrence. Attention, including criticism and encouragement, is needed more than ever. 

The fact-finding process for human rights violations is not a simple process of confirming facts based on the 6 principles of news gathering: who, when, where, what, how, why. There are many complex problems, such as various facts, interpretations, and concerns, and the way to deal with these differences of opinion. This entire process should lead to healing socially, and especially to the victims.

The investigation into the cause of the Ferry Sewol sinking is a process of approaching the truth despite various limitations: damage to evidence, incompleteness of experiments, inaccuracies of statements, and the possibility of bias. There may be many disagreements, sometimes leading to distrust, hatred, attack, and criticism, but if approached calmly looking in the same direction, acceptable results, even if not completely satisfied, will be reached. 

The National Intelligence Service has produced 680,000 documents (including duplicate documents) related to the Ferry Sewol disaster, many have nothing to do with the issue. There have been various attempts to collect and neutralize information from the Blue House and the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries. 

 

The Ferry Sewol disaster was a crisis to the government and raising issues to resolve the Sewol ferry disaster was considered a threat and operations were actually carried out against the victims' families, media, courts, and special investigators. And above all, knowing the facts, no one from the president to the Coast Guard made a responsible apology. In this state, more aggravated forms of disasters are bound to be repeated. 

When many people die or suffer from serious diseases of unknown cause, such as humidifier disinfectant disasters, the government must seek answers to solve the problem. The disaster had been neglected for a considerable period until the cause of the disaster was confirmed in 2011, and the government should take clear responsibility for it.

Some companies did not hesitate to cover up and discard relevant evidence afterward. The behavior of companies that approached the committee as if they were conducting operations against the victims should not be repeated again. The companies are to be the vanguard of "social value" and "environmental, social and cooperate governance". (ESC) should not be the same as it is now. 

The 8th anniversary of the Sewol ferry disaster is approaching, and victims of the humidifier sterilizer disaster are complaining of frustration for not solving the issue. Government agencies, corporations, and other relevant entities should be guided toward overcoming disasters based on principles and responsibilities. Change is possible only when all of us who know how to feel pain are with the victims' families until justice is achieved.

 

Value of Study in Old Age

 

One year ends and another year begins. Rather than dreaming of something new, the priest columnist of Reading the World Theologically in the Catholic Times wants us to live the faith. 

If there is a small wish: he wants to enjoy life a little bit more rather than lamenting the passage of time. Somethings in life we can't change and must learn to respond wisely but other things we can change and on these, we need to focus.

 Pleasures in life are mainly related to the senses. It's pleasing to the eyes to see, ears to hear, the mouth to eat, pleasant the sense of touch and smell. But sadly, in this heartless capitalist era, the pleasures of many of the senses and desires demand money and time. People who don't have money and can't afford time don't enjoy these pleasures to the same degree. 

However, true pleasure is not the pleasure that arises from material consumption that satisfies the senses and desires, but the pleasure of the act itself. Studying and walking are things we can enjoy without cost and without much time. All you need is a willingness to learn and an open mind. Studying can be done at any age. 

Studying at a young age usually seeks achievement, recognition, and power. Studying when old can be aimed more at the enjoyment of learning itself. The older you get, the more you need to study. For the pure pleasure of knowledge, and for a humble and rewarding old age. Many are the reasons studying in old age is good, inquiry and curiosity always keep us young. The ideal is to study life until the moment of death. Studying life in youth and middle age also makes people mature, but studying life in old age moves us towards wisdom.

All studies are done to know correctly and understand deeply. You do not study to judge, criticize, or use it as power. The act of studying is reading, thinking, and writing. Reading various books, thinking from various angles through the medium of reading, and translating one's thoughts and words into writing. The act of studying contains the joy of reading other people's various thoughts, the pleasure of forging one's own thoughts, and the joy of being a writer using one's own words. Of course, thinking and writing are often painful labors. The act of studying includes listening and talking. Studying is not one-way. Studying takes place through conversations with books and candid conversations with others. 

The joy and pleasure of studying are not the results of achievement, but rather come naturally from the process. True study penetrates the head, mind, and body. True study always aims at life. The joy of knowing itself is great. But the real study is to do it with the body. Studying by moving your body touches your heart and changes your life. The journey of study is the process of knowing with the head, realizing with the heart, and realizing it with the body. Studying with the head, mind, body, and life transforms, matures, and humbles us. The more you study, the more you will confess: "There are so many things I don't know." 

Our Faith also needs study. Theology is the academic study of faith, the reflection of the church, and the reading of the signs of the times. Theology is 'wisdom', 'rational knowledge', and 'critical reflection on Christian religious practice'. The study of theology should not be limited to a few experts. Studying theology is something that all believers can do. "Every act of a Christian, either explicitly or implicitly, already expresses theology. In other words, called by God to grapple with the ultimate questions of human existence and the fate of the world." 

The study of faith is also the study of the Bible and doctrine. Today's Bible study is not just a historical-critical approach to studying the biblical texts and contexts. Rather, it values ​​the life of the Bible reader as much as the author of the Bible. For the Bible to become a living word for us today, we must study today's life. It is a humanistic bible study in a broad sense. Reading the world in the light of faith and in the light of the Bible is an element of the study of faith.

 A study of faith, a living faith, a faith that shakes and transforms lives, Pope Francis makes clear. (Speech on December 21, 2017) "A faith that does not make us grow is a faith that needs to grow. A faith that does not raise questions is a faith that has to be questioned. A faith that does not rouse us is a faith that needs to be roused. A faith that does not shake us is a faith that needs to be shaken. Indeed, a faith that is only intellectual or lukewarm is only a notion of faith. It can become real once it touches our heart, our soul, our spirit, and our whole being. Once it allows God to be born and reborn in the manger of our heart. Once we let the star of Bethlehem guide us to the place where the Son of God lies, not among Kings and riches, but among the poor and humble."

Our Blessed Mother exemplifies the study of the faith. Studying the faith is learning and putting into practice the way of Jesus with an attitude of asking questions and pondering (Luke 1:29.34) and with a delicate gaze that seeks God’s will in everything (Luke 2:19.51).

Stewards Not Owners

 

The COVID-19 virus, made its appearance in the beginning of  2020. At that time no one knew that the  virus would turn the world upside down. A journalist writing in the Catholic Times  Eyes of the Believer column gives the readers something to think about.

  

At that time we thought that when a vaccine or cure comes along, Corona 19 would disappear. This was everyone's shortsighted opinion and became the hope. In the past two years, there have been 280 million confirmed cases worldwide, and 5.4 million people have died. This is literally a pandemic and catastrophe. Korea is no exception, with the cumulative number of confirmed cases exceeding 600,000 and the death toll exceeding 5,100.

 

Before and after COVID-19, life has brought about a drastic change from offline to online, face-to-face to non-face-to-face. Let's talk about the case of the Catholic Press Council, which the writer is serving. Two years ago, due to social distancing, he tried a non-face-to-face zoom class by delaying the first half of the year to the second half. Experience unfamiliar to both instructors and students. The zoom method was  one way, so the students' reactions were unknown and interactive communication was difficult. Fortunately, the in-depth course in the second half of last year was a face-to-face class, and both instructors and students responded well. After the lecture, the party was also a small pleasure. In the COVID-19 era, one misses warm human relations more.

 

The Catholic Forum, which seeks a solution by bringing up social hot issues once a year was held live on YouTube for the second consecutive year under the theme of "Korean Society, Fairness, and Solution to Youth Problems." In the past, while the venue was specified and the number of participants was limited, the exposure effect was greater as it proceeded with only the minimum number of presenters and used YouTube. In addition, the advantage of expanding social consensus even after the forum was over was the bonus.

Following the development of vaccines, and treatments, he  thought the  crisis was over but he  was wrong again. This time, the Omicron mutation with weak symptoms but strong transmission,  overtook the Delta and emerged as the dominant variant. The living 'With Corona' measures by which we dreamed of recovering from daily life retreated again and distancing was strengthened. The global village is busy overcoming problems due to lock-downs and telecommuting. It is a great ordeal for mankind.

What is the best way for us to act in the midst of the spread of the pandemic. First of all we must protect the earth, our home and ourselves and be more sensitive to climate change. Did not the indiscriminate human behavior boomerang to our harm bringing about the Covid 19 pandemic? The earth is our common home, Let's take into account the words of Pope Francis, emphasizing that both humans and nature living in a common house are connected. The use or development of nature should only be carried out within the scope of maintaining God's creative order. Let's change our thinking 'for future generations and for the rights of nature', as in the book "Apology for the Earth" by a former Justice Minister of Korea. The columnist is drawn to the Justice Minister's insistence to give the earth a legal personality, that is asking persons concerned to restore the earth to its original state when harmed by human efforts.

 

In addition, in order to overcome  climate crisis and its urgency, the global community must boldly cooperate in movements for 'decarbonization' (process of reducing carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions resulting from human activity in the atmosphere). In particular, let us believers avoid using disposable products and take the lead in the separation of waste for recycling.  We must keep in mind that we are not the rulers of the earth, but the protectors. Small streams come together to form a large river. He believes when our awakening and small practices are combined, the Earth will sprout new life and COVID-19 will gradually disappear like spring snow melting.