ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - Don Orione spiritual family entrusted with care for immigrants in Changwon, their first house in Korea

Changwon (Agenzia Fides) – "Today, February 2, Feast of the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple and World Day for Consecrated Life, a discreet yet important event was held in Changwon, a coastal city in South Korea: the founding of a Don Orione community in this Asian nation." These are words spoken by the Superior General of the Sons of Divine Providence, Fr. Flavio Peloso, upon signing the agreement with Bishop Han Myeong Ok of Masan, who authorized the presence of the “Opera Don Orione” in South Korea, specifically in the city of Changwon. The Bishop has entrusted the family of Don Orione with the pastoral care of the many immigrants who come to work in the industrial city of Changwon, one million of inhabitants, who live in very precarious conditions and in great need.
At the moment, the “Orionini” are able to use a social center of the diocese and will live in a large apartment building. "For the past ten years, Korea was among our hopes and desires in Asia, after the Philippines and India,” the Superior General said. “Now it has become a reality. After personal contact after the first exploratory insertion in 2006-2007, now our two Korean brothers, Fr. Bernardo Seo Young-Tae and Fr. Andrew Kim Tae Gun, along with Belarusian Fr. Yury Prakapiuk form the first community residing in Korea." (SL) (Agenzia Fides 3/02/2010)