A Meditation on Korean Mission Stations

 

In the Catholic Peace Weekly a  professor in the art department of a university gives the readers  his thoughts on 'healing' that come to mind on his visits to the mission stations. His words were especially of interest for this blog since he uses the Korean word for mission station 'Gongso'(公所)  which is  where this blog: Catholic American Eyes in Korea originates.

In our daily life, the word "healing" is used a lot.and often used directly from the English. One of the important aspects of this healing is food, and when you turn on the TV, so-called 'mukbang programs' overwhelm many channels.[A 'mukbang' a combination of the word eating and program also known as an eating show—an online audiovisual broadcast in which a host consumes various quantities of food while interacting with the audience].

Eating is one of the human instincts, but the writer wonders if he was ever passionate about eating. There are people who seek healing through eating like this, but each person has different ways of seeking healing.

He loves to drive through the country roads away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It is good to change the scenery according to the season, but above all, for him traveling in the green fields is more enjoyable and exciting. What's more, the country road is always free from the traffic congestion and allows one to enjoy a quiet and open road. That's why the road to the Gongsos is healing for him, most of the Gongsos are located outside the cities.

The 'Gongso' is called  the 'seed bed of the faith'. A Gongso is a community of faith where the priest does not reside. The early religious life of Catholicism in Korea began from places of this type and even when persecution was at its peak, the flower of faith was able to bloom here. It is often compared to the Western catacombs (catacombs of the early church era),  in this way, our ancestors of faith practiced God's love by holding their breaths in prayer in these mission stations.

It is said that 30 years ago, there were about 1,900 'Gongsos', but now the number has been greatly reduced. Moreover, most of them are getting old not able to withstand the passing of time. The shabby mission stations  are sometimes newly rebuilt, but many disappear altogether. Some are well-maintained, but many are neglected and filled with cobwebs.

He is particularly interested in a Korean style Gongso  he visits from time to time, the roof tiles are broken, the altar is left in a corner with a thick layer of dust, and the Crucifix lies on the floor, along with rat droppings and grass growing on the floor. He can't help but feel sad to see how the place is so neglected that was once the  house of God. Just as a brochure was created to promote pilgrimage sites he thinks it is time for special measures to be taken for these Gongsos.

The Gongsos are quiet; no hassle; they are pleasant places to  pray with simplicity. There are no restaurants around, no coffee shops, and the restrooms are inconvenient, but he would like us to visit these places that are out of the way but found on many pilgrimage routes. Only the concern of believers can prevent the devastation of this precious religious heritage. 

These Gongsos are like the  grain of wheat that  fell to the ground and became the root of our faith. We will feel the healing of our body when we put our hands together in these Gongsos, which convey the ardent fervor of our ancestors in the faith.

Hijap And Death should not be Connected

The United Nations,the European  Union  and many other organizations have objected strongly on the abuse of human rights in Iran. The Catholic Peace Weekly has in its Diagnoses of the Times, an  article by the secretary-general of the Citizen's Solidarity for Human Rights in Korea on a recent human right problem in Iran.

A Twenty-two-year-old Iranian woman Mahsa Amini  was on a family trip to Tehran, when  arrested by 'Guidance patrol officers' at the entrance of a subway station. Often referred to as religious police, they move in groups of four and check whether a woman's hijab is worn correctly. Guidance patrol arrested Mahsa for wearing her hijab incorrectly. She had to cover all of her hair, but some came out of the hijab. According to the patrol's subjective judgment, that is a violation of the law. In this case, they are fined, taken to a detention center called a re-education center, or beaten. It is a human rights violation that is hard to find anywhere else in the world, and it is a clear national crime. 

 

Mahsa Amini fell unconscious within hours of her arrest, and she died three days later. Although her murder was apparent, Iranian authorities announced that the cause of death was multiple organ failure due to cerebral hypoxia, and that she died suddenly from a fall. 

 

However, there are testimonies that police officers hit Mahsa in the head with their clubs while she was being taken away. Relatives also testify that she was in good health. When police arrested the 22-year-old young woman who could  travel long distances with her family, no one believed the authorities' announcement that she suddenly died of a heart attack. 

 

Iranian women were outraged. Protests for freedom,  for life, erupted everywhere.They could no longer endure the human rights abuses in which the guidance patrols continued to act atrociously towards young women, they were being targeted and taken away. The fact that a part of a women's hair came out of her hijab could not be the reason she was killed...

 

Sixteen-year-old Nika Shakarami disappeared in Tehran on Sept. 20 after burning her headscarf in protest and being followed by security forces.She considered the death of Mahsa Amini's death her concern and could not contain her anger.She went out to protest, but soon disappeared, and after ten days she was found dead.

 

 Mahsa Amini's death was not considered her business. She couldn't contain her anger. She went out to protest, but she soon disappeared, and after ten days she was found dead.  Her last words in a phone call with her family was that she was being chased by security forces.

 

Over the past month or so, hundreds of women in their teens and twenties have been killed in protests. The Iranian government is repeating lies, saying that they died of an illness or that they jumped from a building. The truth of death may not be revealed for a long time, as all the deaths of women must be due to illness or accidents for the Iranian ruling power, who believes that their regime is threatened by women's protests. 

 

The resistance of Iranian women is growing stronger. You can't die in the streets in vain like you do now. The women's slogan was thus summarized in three words: "Women, life and freedom."

 

The hijab is just one type of scarf worn by a woman on her head. Although hijab remains a regional, ethnic or religious practice in most Islamic regions, it has become a strict duty in Iran. Without a hijab, you cannot go to school or get a job. There are also repeated cases of being detained or beaten by the guidance patrols in street checkpoints. The barbaric oppression of women has resulted in numerous victims. It is to maintain the theocracy established after the Islamic revolution in 1979, but if it is a system that can only be maintained by forcing the hijab, wouldn't it be better to change the way they treat the infractions? 

 

Allah, God, Lord, Sangje, Yahweh, Jehovah, it doesn't matter what his name is called. It is blasphemy to require only women to be modest in his name, to force only women to wear special clothes, and to harass people by saying that their hair must not come out of the hijab. God's name should not be used to discriminate against people and violate their human rights and dignity.

 

Trying to Find Peace on the Peninsula

Seeing the Light of Hope for Peace on the Korean Peninsula in the Exchange of Bishops from the Republic of Korea and the United States was expressed in a  front page article in both Catholic Weeklies. 

 

In the Catholic Peace Weekly the writer gives us the following summary.The bishops of South Korea and the United States took the first step together on the journey for peace on the Korean Peninsula. Bishops belonging to the Bishops' Special Committee for National Reconciliation  and the Bishops' Committee for International Justice and Peace of the Bishops of the United States participated in the 2022 Catholic Korean Peninsula Peace Forum held in Washington, D.C. This is the first time for bishops from the United States and South Korea to discuss the issue of peace on the Korean Peninsula in public. 

 

The bishops of the two countries visited the US State Department and Congress on the 6th and met with government officials to share their opinions on reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula, easing sanctions against North Korea, and the reality of North Korea's nuclear program. The bishops of the United States showed active support for the work of Korean bishops for national reconciliation and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

 

One Korean bishop said: "We have taken a big step in solidarity with the American church for peace on the Korean Peninsula." Another bishop: "With the solidarity and fraternal support of the bishops of the United States, a new journey for peace on the Korean Peninsula has just begun." Bishop David Mallory said: "The Korean church has been dedicated to resolving conflicts through various activities, so I think the Korean bishops will be able to give the helpful advice to the US government." 

 

On the 5th and 6th, a meeting of Korean, American, and Japanese scholars and experts familiar with inter-Korean relations and international political issues was held at the Catholic University of America. About 20 experts gathered in one place online and offline, sympathizing with the importance of peace on the Korean Peninsula for world peace, urged them to find a new solution away from the sanctions-oriented North Korea policy. In addition, previews of the documentary films 'Crossing' and 'Outing of veterans' were held for local university students, adding meaning to the documentary film about the reality of division between the two Koreas. 

 

The 2022 Catholic Korean Peninsula Peace Forum was co-hosted by the National Reconciliation Committee of the Bishops' Conference, the Catholic Institute for Northeast Asian Peace, and the International Justice and Peace Committee of the American Bishops' Conference, and is the 6th international academic conference hosted by the Catholic Institute for Northeast Asian Peace. This forum was able to be held in the United States because the Catholic Institute for Northeast Asian Peace has been holding an international symposium on the topic of peace on the Korean Peninsula since 2017 and has maintained close exchanges with the International Commission for Justice and Peace of the Bishops of the United States.

 

At the height of the crisis on the Korean Peninsula in 2017, the US International Criticism Commission delivered an open letter to the White House security adviser that the Korean church's position was to resolve the Korean Peninsula problem through dialogue, not force. In 2018, Archbishop Timothy Brolio, who was then chairman of the International Relations Committee, made a solidarity visit to Korea. In 2019, Archbishop Brolio shared a document containing the 2019 Korean Solidarity Visit and Requests from the Korean Catholic Bishops' Conference with the entire American bishops and delivered it to the US State Department,Washington, D.C.

 

Synodality, New Image Of Church

A Catholic professor in the Human Development Department of a Catholic University gives the readers of the Catholic Peace Weekly an overview of the Synodalitas Spirit at work in Korea.
 
"The journey of Synodalitas is the path God expects from the Church of the 3rd millennium." These are the words of Pope Francis in his speech in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Synod of Bishops of the World in 2015. The Pope did not intend to suggest any "new" path. The Pope said that synodalitas is the essential way of life of the church itself, so the answer to how the Catholic Church in the 3rd millennium should live and how to carry out its mission of proclaiming the Gospel lies in synodalitas.
 
The Pope’s wish for a "church living the synodalitas spirit" is reflected in the opening of the Synod of Bishops to be held in 2023. In the smallest gatherings of believers, religious orders, and various groups in the parishes, the "voices of the people" were heard and gathered through the synodal method, especially through the methods of listening and discernment, which were heard in the parishes, and dioceses. All this material was gathered by the bishops in each country.
 
In addition, the Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops prepared the 'Documents for the Continental Stage' through the process of listening to and identifying these voices from all over the world with those invited from all over the world. There is one thing that runs through this whole process. That is, as the people of God speak out and listen to each other, they see the hope of the people and the hope of the Holy Spirit toward these people.
 
However, this process is only "one part" of the realization of synodalitas. This means that holding a synod in a parish or diocese is by no means "the end". "We have done our best" is not something that "we just have to watch" what the Asian Bishops Conference decides. Of course, the journey of the Synod will continue until next year's Synod of Bishops.
 
However, the large and small communities of each local church should not just wait for the final conclusions of the bishops but should consider and discern together the "voices" gathered in their synod journey. Some issues will need to be addressed at the universal church level, while others will be realized "here and now". For these issues, large and small communities of believers united with their shepherds should seek concrete ways to realize them and move on to implementing them.
 
At this stage of realization, the very "method" experienced in the Synod is applied. Shepherds and believers each move forward to achieve a common goal while doing what they can, and this is what synodalitas is. So synodalitas is often compared to a choir or orchestra. This dynamism takes place at various levels: small communities, parishes, dioceses, and the entire Korean church, and after the publication of "Documents for Continental Levels", it is extended to each continent and the global level.
 
The 'Documents for the Continental Level' are not simply a collection of documents for continental bishops' conferences. It is to "give back" to all the synthesis of the voices of the people of God around the world through listening and discernment. This is to make the people see the results of  their discussions and discernment in  the light  of the needs to be realized in their place of life in the universal church. And this "giving back" is actually something that has to be done at each stage of the synod. Only then can we move from the stage of listening to the stage of realization, and this process is the synodalitas, the way of life of the Church. Synodalitas is not an event that ends with a synod, nor is it a passing fad but should be the life of the Church.

Walking Together As Church

 

We are all familiar with Jigsaw puzzles. Scattered, usually on a table are hundreds, sometimes thousands of oddly shaped pieces of a picture which the players try to bring to life by continually comparing what they are doing with the object pictured on the box. Those working on the puzzle have the task of reproducing the picture by matching colors, patterns, and shapes, with the pieces before them.

We have discussions, exchange of ideas, and with time, shared effort, determination, and persistence, not only achieving the results intended but also the unintended results of collaboration, cooperation,  partnership, and synodality, this last word, at this time is the word which is familiar to the Catholic community wherever it exists.

Can we use this word synodality to help us realize the full promise of Paul's statement in First Corinthians: "All of you are Christ's body, and, each one is a part of it." Synodality means journeying together as the People of God. A way of listening to each individual person as a member of the Church to understand how God might be speaking to us.

Sadly, except for synodality, these secular words are more often used in the business and legal world than in the church. However, are they not the words that describe more accurately and clearly what is meant by becoming an authentic witness of what we are as a church?

Sadness comes when we realize the Catholic Church is often disliked by many outside and not infrequently by those within. We fail in imaging Jesus and consequently, the community is not a valid sign of Jesus' Way. We are not a community, equal partners working toward the building up of Jesus' Kingdom. We use the term community but in most cases, the reality is missing. Jesus meant for us to be a community that is collaborating, cooperating, and in partnership. Working together is not primarily necessary to help one another or to be more effective but as a way of being an authentic witness of what we are as a Church.

The images of salt, light, and leaven although indiscriminately applicable to all Jesus' disciples, are specifically applied to the lay faithful (1). Although the Church has made it clear that the vocation of the layperson is as important as that of the clergy and religious this message is often blurred. They make up the vast number of disciples and have the hardest tasks presented to them with very little help. History makes it clear why this is the case, but we are living in the 3rd millennium. They not only belong to the Church but are the Church under the leadership of the Pope and Bishops (2).

The laypeople are a "sleeping giant" whose time has come for them to take their rightful place within the community. All lay Christians have been called to share Christ's priestly, prophetic, and kingly office, both in the Church and the world but it is the world where they have to excel with their charisms. They are partners in the work given to all of us by Jesus, this is their exalted vocation. By exalting the vocation of the clergy and religious, a tendency exists to minimize the vocation of the layperson. This is a serious error, weakens the laity, and does not energize or give them the desire to participate in the work of the Church.

The ministerial priesthood is in the service of the common priesthood. It is directed at the unfolding of the baptismal grace of all Christians (3). We are all partners working in the vineyard of the world. There is a difference in 'function but not in dignity and holiness'. Here tension exists, for at times there is a stress on the structure of the Church, a sign of our oneness and at other times an acknowledgment of the gifts of God to the individual and the  shared roles arising from Baptism and Confirmation. These two truths should not be in opposition but often are.

More important is that in Church law and our tradition the layperson has only a consultative vote in Church deliberations. We should remember, however, that those with authority can choose to share this authority. This is the right that the pastoral worker has. The Church is calling the lay faithful to take an active, conscientious, and responsible part in the mission of the church.

By working together in a loving and uniting relationship, we are being catechized by the very highest form of catechesis. It is within such a relationship that we grow in faith and love together with others. Something happens to us because we are doing Christ's work together. Christ's reason for choosing not to work alone but sending disciples out by twos may help us to appreciate this. We all have certain talents given for the building up of the whole church but we also have acquired certain liabilities that tend to weaken it. Do we not need to know that others are there to help us when weak and are available to help others where strong? It is this dialogue this perspective that teaches more than words and keeps us from losing our composure within the Church.

1 Christifideles Laici, n 15

2 Ibid 9

3  Catholic Church Catechism#1547

World Poverty Eradication Day (Oct 17)

The Catholic Times in its recent issue introduced us to the Korea Hope Foundation and its work as we approach World Poverty Eradication Day (October 17).

Cheol-soon Lee, Executive Director of the Korea Hope Foundation reminds us: "Poverty is a serious threat to human freedom and dignity." Continual commitment to alleviating poverty and discrimination requires cooperation to foster the "will of self-reliance" of the poor.

The poor, the socially discriminated against, become frustrated when they feel that no one understands them or listens to them. The Korea Hope Foundation is showing concern so that they can stand on their own.
 
The executive director of the Korea Hope Foundation had a leading role in its beginning in 2005. The role of the Korea Hope Foundation is to "become not only giving money or food to the poor but also becoming a collaborator who fosters their self-reliance through solidarity," said the Director who has dedicated her whole life to raising and resolving human poverty and discrimination, especially women's poverty and discrimination.

"It is impossible for poverty to completely disappear from the world, but efforts to eradicate poverty must continue," she said.
 
The World Day for the Eradication of Poverty was established by the United Nations in 1992. On October 17, 1987, at the Human Rights Square in Trocadero, Paris, France, a crowd of 100,000 gathered under the leadership of Father Joseph Wresinski to unveil a memorial to the victims of poverty and lack of education. In 1987, Fr. Wresinski launched the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty later recognized by the United Nations General Assembly.
 
"The majority of the poor suffer from hard work and lack of food, clothing, and shelter. As such, it is easy to see poverty as only a material problem but what it ultimately deprives is human freedom and dignity. That is why we must strive to respect and support the free will of the poor."
 
 Although helping people in poor countries who are materially poor and do not have access to education is often expressed as 'support' or 'aid', Executive Director Lee emphasized that it should be 'cooperation'. The word support or aid means that the strong or the rich give charity to the weak or the poor. It is helping people in poor countries in Asia and Africa to plant farms and create drinking water facilities, and to build schools and dormitories for children who did not have the opportunity to learn. In times of natural disasters and COVID-19, they offered urgent help. What is important is that it induces the participation and cooperation of residents in all these projects.
 
"It is difficult at first, but it is necessary to instill a sense of accomplishment and a spirit of cooperation that 'we can do it and 'we did it. We have to work together," she added.

The Director urged Korean churches and believers for more interest in and support for the Korea Hope Foundation. "Catholic priests and lay people mainly participated to form the Korea Hope Foundation, and we are helping the poor beyond church boundaries. Please accompany the Korea Hope Foundation, in its work with the poor of the world.

Blunt Talk and Gossip

 

October 9th is the 576th Hangul Day. [The holiday marks the invention and proclamation of the Korean alphabet in 1446] The  Peace Column of the Catholic Peace Weekly gives the readers some thoughts on the words we use.

 

It is a legal holiday established to promote the originality and scientific nature of Hangul and to raise awareness of the love of Hangul. It will be celebrated on the 10th of October this year. However, this year's Hangul Day seems somewhat gloomy.

 

The whole country is noisy with the president using profane language, close to abusive language on the international diplomatic stage. After attending a fund-raising event by the US President Biden at the United Nations, the rude remarks he made as he left the event became a problem. Politicians and the media were prepared with all kinds of interpretations, arguments, and excuses for the Korean language that appeared in the remarks. However, it is accepted as the truth that the president's remarks were vulgar language and were spoken to our officials (off the record caught by the mike after the event).

 

Politicians' gossip is not a thing of the past. Even in face-to-face conversations, some use provocative language, ridicule and slander of others. They do not choose what to say or not to say, it just comes out. But even worse than gossip are words that do harm. Gossip that is negative is more common than praise. It's a hidden insult to one's personality. It is cowardly and petty and undermines the harmony and peace of the community. 

 

According to psychology, gossip is an expression of inferiority, dissatisfaction with reality, and loneliness. It is a sad struggle to hide frustration and humiliation, and the last resistance of a wounded soul. There are very few people who have never gossiped. So, the president's gossip and words are humanly understandable. However, the president's words, which are exposed to the whole world, must be honest and clear, and his actions must be under his control.

 

Pope Francis said, "If you don't gossip you are on the way to  becoming a saint." Gossip no matter the logic used if you don't sincerely love the other person the words will express anger. Gossip is possible only if there is someone who accepts the conversation. Therefore, you become a sympathizer even if you do not engage in gossip but remain there. Gossip spreads quickly like poisonous mushrooms through various media such as SNS, creating more gossip. The victim of gossip can be not only the other party but also the community itself.

 

Distrust in politics is because politicians engage in antagonism and confrontation with each other through reckless blunt talk and gossip. The essence of politics is to reduce differences through concessions and compromises on issues that can only cause ruptures due to differences of opinion. And the difference has to be resolved through heart to heart dialogue without the

rude, rough talk.

 

If a president is not careful with their words, not only the dignity of politics but also the dignity of the nation deteriorates. Confucius' disciple,said to Confucius: "If you were in charge of the government what would you do first?"  Confucius replied: 必也 正名乎 the proper naming of things (rectification of names). Confucius believed  the failure to understand and conduct oneself properly at least partially,was the failure to name things properly.

 

It means that if the cause is not right, the words will not be right, and if the words are not right, the work will not be done correctly.

 

Korean Hangul has been a language of communication and harmony since birth. King Sejong created 28 letters so that the people could easily learn and convey each other's meaning. It was not a language for antagonism, envy, and discrimination.

 

Just like the proverb that a single word conveyed well  pays off a a debt of thousand 'nyang'. The power of a single word is immeasurably great and overflowing. The words and language of the leaders are not always the  voices of the people nor voices from heaven. On Hangul Day, what words and language will the president use in his commemorative speech to understand the hearts of the people who are disappointed and hurt?