Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Fides Service) - In Korea, as all over the world, mobile phones are not only popular they have become essential for most people. In view of this recently a parish in Seoul archdiocese had the idea of using this modern means of communication for mission by providing an SMS text message service to help Catholics keep in touch with the local church and with the faith and also to reach out to non Catholics.
When the members of Imudong parish council agreed that 80% of parishioners use a mobile phone, the parish priest Fr Gabriel Jun Chang-mun said this was an opportunity to put new technology at the service of mission. The initiative was apporved and planned and put into action. The parish launched its SMS message service with a Sunday message for the week consisting of a few verses from the Sunday readings, a short spiritual thought for every day of the week and information about parish events and pastoral activities. Encouraged by the success of its SMS message service, the parish leaders decided to extend the initiative to include friends and acquaintances of other religions with messages offering blessings and thoughts for reflection.
Taking up the challenge which the late Pope John Paul II addressed to Catholics in his last Letter for World Communications Day “The rapid development”, the Church in Korea has intensified its commitment in this field. The Bishops of Korea are considering setting sup their own Information Technology Commission, since they realise the need to increase efforts in this field in Korea, while they are satisfied with progress made in the formation of the laity as active participants in pastoral life and activity. A decision on the matter will be taken at the next plenary assembly of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference in September.
(PA) (Agenzia Fides 18/7/2005 righe 24 parole 276)
