Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - “Mass Media and Mission: The image of the Catholic Church in the eyes of the media” was the theme of a recent forum promoted in Seoul by the Bishops' Commission for Social Communications, presided by Auxiliary Bishop Thaddeus Cho Hwan-kil of Daeugu. The forum is part of a series of seminars being organized by the Commission, on the theme: “Mass Media and Mission,” which seeks to deepen in this relationship there in Korea, to discover new pastoral perspectives. The forum was attended by social communications delegates from the various dioceses nad parishes, as well as scholars, researchers, journalists, and lay communications workers of Korea, who offered their opinions and perspectives on perceiving the Catholic Church from the outside. Several journalists highlighted that the Church's image is linked to the “conservation of universal values, generosity towards the poor, the strength and credibility of an established hierarchical structure.”
According to one of the researchers who spoke, on Korean TV, the Church appears most often through one of its representatives or through liturgical celebrations, more that by the daily life of Catholic faithful. The voice of the Church has increased, as far as public awareness is concerned, especially in regards to moral questions such as bioethics or environmental concerns. Recently, several services and documentaries on the life of the clergy and consecrated in Korea, made with sacrifice, prayer, and renunciations, have helped strengthen the Korean people's esteem for the Catholic community. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 16/7/2009)
