ASIA/SOUTH KOREA - In Advent the Church holds Day of Charity “Blessed are the merciful”

Thursday, 22 December 2005

Seoul (Fides Service) - “Blessed are the merciful” is the theme of Advent Charity Day organised by the Catholic community in Korea. Bishop Lazzaro You Heung-sik, President of the Korean Bishops’ Commission for Caritas said purpose of the Day is to increase in the Christmas season awareness among all Koreans, Catholics and non, of the importance of solidarity and charity. Believers are called to be “instruments of the Lord, sharing what they have with others in need and sowing seeds f hope in the world”, the Bishop said.
The message issued by the Commission for the Day states: “Sharing is a privilege given to all” and “an act of love and care for another person can alleviate those living in poverty and suffering and help everyone to find new meaning in life”.
The message denounces a spreading consumer spirit in Korea and reminds Catholics that as Christians they should undertake to evangelise society and promote a culture of sobriety and solidarity: “We are slaves of consumerism: as Christians we are called to watch over those in need”. The Bishop urges the faithful to pursue the common good, following the teaching of the Second Vatican Council, which calls Christians to live and practice authentic charity and solidarity “when it does this the ecclesial community offers a useful, valid and effective service in the field of charity”. (Agenzia Fides 22/12/2005 righe 22 parole 224)


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