Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) – The liturgical season of Advent, as time and opportunity for change: this is the theme that echoes in pastoral letters and messages from various Korean bishops being circulated for this forthcoming period of Advent, which begins Sunday, November 29th.
As Fides learned from the Korean Bishops' Conference in the Pastoral Letter entitled "The Church to Change the World", Cardinal Nicholas Cheoung, Archbishop of Seoul, says: "Our mission in society is to promote unity and solve the social conflicts of class, which are the cause of mistrust and antagonism."
The text continues: “Christians are called to convert people from the worship of mammon, hedonism, consumerism, anti-life culture, spreading the leaven of values and Christian attitudes, providing a practical example of living the Gospel in the family and in the workplace.”
Archbishop Andrew Choi Chang-mou, Archbishop of Kwagju, writes: "We need a new evangelization, based on internal renewal of individuals and the Christian community. The new evangelization must be directed towards and lived in these areas: family, in society, and must be supported by the sacramental life."
In the Archdiocese of Daegu, the focus of the message is in regards to the celebrations that mark 100 years since the establishment of the diocesis, which will also include a Diocesan Synod.
In other messages, the bishops stress the urgency of pastoral care of the youth and make reference to the Korean Martyrs as an inspiration for the spiritual life of believers today. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 28/11/2009)
