Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – Take greater root in society; continue insisting on a quality education, guaranteeing the best services to students; reiterate the Catholic values and Catholic identity; make some organizational and juridical reforms such as the establishment of a Foundation, a system from the Western nations...etc. These are among some of the new guidelines for the Catholic schools in South Korea, as reported in a study done by the Federation of Catholic Institutions in Korea which was entitled “The current legal system of Catholic schools in Korea: proposals for future progress.”
The report, which was sent to Agenzia Fides, outlines 7 aspects of the identity of Korean Catholic schools and makes a historical digression on the relation between Church and State in the education field. The President of the Catholic Schools Federation, His Excellency Matthias Ri Iong-hoon, Auxiliary Bishop of Suwon, is also the head of the Bishops’ Committee on Education. Bishop Ri states that “the Church and State should continue discussion and look for complementary solutions in the area of education, so as to coordinate the public and private school systems,” and recalled the fact that “the school is where the youth should be given the chance to grow intellectually, culturally, personally, and spiritually.”
The report shows that Catholic schools should focus on the integral development of the students, contributing to their psychological and moral growth, becoming places where spiritual care can be given and Christian formation is reinforced. Thus, the educational method of Catholic schools should distance itself from criteria of competition. Catholic education is not only important for the Church, but for all Korea, as it offers a wealth of values that help to build peace, a well-formed conscience in its citizens, and a balanced personality that respects the common good. One of the most profound reasons why the Church dedicates herself to education is in order to carry out her mission of love towards the entire human race.
Catholic schools have full right to offer teachings of the Catholic faith to all their students, Catholic and non-Catholic alike, respecting the children’s freedom of religion.
The Korean Church’s dedication to education dates back over 150 years and is very active today. According to the Church’s Official Statistics, in 2006 the Church ran: 215 nurseries, kindergartens, and preschools with 24,658 students; 14 primary schools, with 7,565 students; 69 middle schools and high schools, with 42,548 students; 8,359 universities and colleges, with over 87,492. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 22/7/2008)
