Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – Multicultural and multiethnic families are becoming more common in Korea and thus, the Church is working to respond to their needs. The Commission for Family Pastoral Care, of the Korean Bishops' Conference, has begun a program to reflect on the situation and see how the Church can reach out to these families on a pastoral level. A recent seminar was held on the topic. It was entitled: “The reality of the multicultural family in Korea and the role of the Church.”
In his opening speech, Bishop Paul Hwang Cheol-soo, President of the Commission, said: “Foreigners living in Korea are no longer foreigners, by our neighbors who have come from various different cultural contexts. In recognizing their differences, we should not discriminate them but make an effort to live life in common with them, as we are all part of God's People.”
According to data from the seminar, in 2007, 38,491 intercultural marriages were celebrated in Korea, and in 2008, over 20,000 students, from multicultural families, were registered in the primary and secondary schools, a 20% increase from the previous year. In addition, only 11.3% of these families benefit from social contributions and 52.9% live below the poverty line. The reality of intercultural marriages, the seminar said, often hides situations of extreme violence and abuse, in which immigrant women are deprived of their dignity, treated as slaves, beaten, or considered as mere “objects” in looking out for the family.
The Church is called to help these families and create awareness of this issue in society, so that an educational and social system can be created so that they can be more integrated into society. Specific pastoral programs are also being proposed for families to become evangelizers in their own communities, as well. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 1/06/2009)
