Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – The laity are essential in the Church's mission and for this reason, the Church in Korea will celebrate the “Day of the Laity,” to be held in all the dioceses and parishes on November 16, which according to the Liturgical Calendar is the 33rd Sunday of Ordinary Time.
The Council for the Apostolate of the Laity, a part of the Bishops' Conference which is headed by Prof. Thomas Han Hong-soon, has provided the funding, organization, and informational material on the Day, which places the family as the focus for the community. The theme chosen was “The family as school of love and birthplace of the faith” and the goal will be to meditate on lay apostolate which begins in the family, the vital cell of society.
“Let us make lay apostolate a family practice,” said Thomas Han Hong-soon, adding that “the mission of the lay faithful is that of being saints through fervent prayer, sacramental life, and the practice of the Gospel in our living spaces, in our families, workplace, and relationships with other people. The mission of the laity should be first lived in the family.”
The Day for the Laity was established in the Korean Church in 1968, in order to spread awareness among Christians, awakening the spirit of the laity and their witness, in terms of their responsibility in society and in the evangelization effort.
Right now, the Catholic laity in Korea are very active in the pastoral progress of the Church and are an example that can be followed by many other Church entities in Asia. The laity are a true source of energy for the Church in Korea. Their valuable contribution in every area of pastoral life shows how well the Church in this country has understood and placed in practice the spirit of Vatican II.
According to a recent study (see Fides 2/5/2008), the laity wish to deepen in their personal formation on matters related to the relation between faith and culture in the world in which they live. One important aspect that the study showed was the need for a more prepared and efficient formation for lay faithful. Thus, the Church is seeing to the implementation of formation programs and courses in the dioceses.
In order to meet these demands, a new School for Catholic laity was begun in Seoul, in 2007. The institution focuses on current issues, theology, social doctrine, and catechetics. Among the various pastoral programs of the laity in Seoul, there is also one meant to promote family apostolate, with a focus on spreading the culture of life. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/11/2008)
