Korean Bishops highlight priorities for 2024

Jan 12, 2024

SEOUL: This year, the Korean Catholic Church is amplifying its focus on key priorities: ecology, poverty alleviation, and spiritual enrichment.

The pastoral messages from Korean dioceses emphasised the Church’s role in reflecting Gospel values with an aim to restoring religious life that was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Acknowledging a 70 per cent recovery from pandemic setbacks, Bishop Augustine Kim Jong-soo of Daejeon notes the need for further strides. He urges parishioners to engage in personal encounters fostering faith, recognising shifts in parish dynamics pre and post-pandemic.

Archbishop Simon Ok Hyun-jin of Gwangju addresses the exodus from churches during the pandemic, highlighting the necessity to revisit the Gospel’s essence: solidarity and support for the impoverished.

The forthcoming Korean Catholic Church COVID-19 Pandemic Pastoral White Paper, to be published by the bishops’ Catholic Pastoral Research Institute, will systematically analyse pandemic impacts and propose pastoral strategies.

Archbishop Thaddaeus Cho Hwan-kil of Daegu emphasises the essence of synodality, urging Korean Catholics to embody the spirit of ‘walking together’ as outlined in the Synod on Synodality.

Bishop John Baptist Jung Shin-chul of Incheon declares 2025 as the ‘Pilgrimage of Hope,’ striving for a deeper faith practice aligned with the Synod’s directions.

Bishop John Kim Son-tae of Jeonju prioritises rejuvenating faith and re-evangelising families, focusing on fostering loving and devoted family units.

Fr Paul Shin Eun-keun, apostolic administrator of Masan diocese, echoes this sentiment, proposing ‘Family Sundays’ for joint participation in Mass and Gospel readings.

Bishop Basil Cho Kyu-man of Wonju designates 2024 as the ‘Year of Mercy,’ aligning with Pope Francis’ call for reflection on God’s mercy.

Ecological and environmental preservation takes centre stage for Bishop John Chrysostom Kwon Hyeok-ju of Andong, advocating for the Church’s integrated ecological repentance.

Bishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoo of Suwon stresses the need for a shift to a life-centred approach, abandoning growth-centric values for sustainable living.

Ahead of World Youth Day in 2027, Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taick of Seoul focuses on empowering youth as future Church and societal leaders.

Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon of Uijeongbu urges adherence to Jesus’ teachings and Catholic social doctrine to foster love for neighbours and global peace.

Bishop Pius Moon Chang-woo of Jeju emphasises collective efforts in building a society where human rights are unconditionally safeguarded.

Bishop Simon Kim Jong-gang of Cheongju encourages prayers for the canonisation of Catholic heroes, like Fr Choi Yang-eop, who served and sacrificed for persecuted Catholics. -- ucanews.com