Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - The Korean Church is renewing its efforts in the area of communications and mass media, placing particular attention on communications via Internet, in hopes of giving a fresh impulse towards reconciliation and evangelization.
There are various initiatives underway towards this goal. Firstly, thanks to the Bishops’ Committee for Reconciliation of the Korean People, the first edition of the new “Newsletter for the Reconciliation of the Korean People has been updated and is now published every month on the web. It is also sent to clergy, religious, laity, and all those citizens working towards the reconciliation of North and South Korea. The newsletter, which can be found at http//:hwahai.cbck.or.kr, includes news updates on the various dioceses, as well as information on prayer and support initiatives that currently unite the two Koreas, with an explanation of the contributions of the Catholic Church and the future plans of work.
In an editorial published in the first issue, Bishop Lucas Kim Woon-hoe, President of the Committee, explained that the new publication will “try to promote the reconciliation and reunification of the Korean people, as well as reestablish the role of the Church as an instrument of peace.”
In terms of their commitment to communications on a global level, the Bishops’ Conference has updated its website www.cbck.or.kr, with additions to the sections of documents and so-called “e-books,” which offers entire books on-line. The website also offers on-line versions of newsletters from Korean dioceses and many Church documents, including the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Bible is also available, as well as a liturgical calendar and daily Mass readings. One can find news from the Church in Korea, from other Churches in the world, and from the Holy See. There are also links on the website to other Catholic websites belonging to religious congregations, dioceses, and associations.
A renewed effort has also been made by the Archdiocese of Seoul, that recently established a Social Communications Committee, under the guidance of Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Andrew Yeom Soo-jung. “The Committee,” he explained, “will help communications personnel and journalists in regards to the Christian faith and in the proclamation of the Gospel,” reminding them of their responsibility in “building a society with harmony, as well as in defending and announcing the truth.”
The Committee will collaborate with various other organizations, such as: the Catholic Journalist Association (CJA), the Catholic Union of the Press/Seoul (UCIP), and the Catholic Association for Communication/Seoul (SIGNIS).
For some years now, the Korean Church has been reflecting on the need for a more incisive presence in the communications world and the use of mass media and modern technologies, since the exhortation of John Paul II: “Do not be afraid of new technologies!”, from the Apostolic Letter on mass media entitled, “The Rapid Development” (see Fides 7/7/2005). The powerful force of these words were what gave life to UTV, the first Catholic television channel on the Internet. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 13/3/2008; righe 41, parole 488)
