Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - The Korean Catholic community of the diaspora continues to grow in number, according to statistics from the Office for Pastoral Care for immigrants and sojourners, led by Bishop Vicent Ri Pyung-ho. According to the data gathered by this Office, on December 31, 2007, the number of Korean Catholics who practice their faith in churches of the diaspora was 149,966 (Note: the total population of Koreans outside their country is close to 7 million).
The number continues to grow in comparison to years before. Close to two-thirds of the number of believers in the diaspora are in North America. 87,138 are faithful who live in the United States, 20,510 in Canada, and 12,318 in Australia. In Asia, there are Koreans present mainly in three countries, with their respective number of faithful: China (1,700), Indonesia (1,295), and Japan (1,291).
In order to offer pastoral care to the Korean faithful in the diaspora, over 165 parishes and 170 mission centers have been established. There are a total of 203 priests, 39 brothers, and 131 religious sisters who care for the Korean faithful, sent on behalf of the Church in Korea precisely to offer pastoral services in the churches attended by the faithful.
The local Church points out the Catholic Koreans in the diaspora are a true evangelizing force spread over the planet, offering testimony of the great vitality of the Korean Church, especially of the unique role of the laity in the mission of the Church. The Catholic Korean laity is an example of liveliness, active participation, maturity, and responsibility for the mission of evangelization. The Korean Church is strongly supported by the active participation of the laity, that contribute in a special way to the pastoral care, as recent assemblies of the Council for Lay Apostolate in Korea have confirmed. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 11/3/2008 righe 24, parole 301)
