Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Fides Service) - Bishop Boniface Choi Ki-san, President of the CBCK Committee for Justice and Peace, issued the Message for the 11th Farmers' Sunday on July 16, 2006 and urged the Government to establish a systematic agricultural policy so that the agriculture and farmers may not become victims unilaterally for the sake of "common good".
In the message, Bishop Choi said, "The globalization and neo-liberalism which have penetrated into most part of our economy, lead the Korean agriculture and rural communities into a very vulnerable situation with the Free Trade Agreements (FTAs)." He added, "The Catholic Church in Korea is concerned about farmers groaning under insecurities and heavy debts, and seeks for the better way to support them."
The Bishop said the local Church calls on parishes, movements and associations to organise formation programs focusing on the values of ecosystem and community in cities and rural areas, and to seek for various mutual exchanges between urban and rural areas such as direct sales of agricultural products. It is necessary that the Korean government and society make efforts for reforming agricultural policy and structural adjustment.
He also encouraged 'the movement for life-agricultural community', which the Catholic Church in Korea has developed through the "Save Our Farm Community" campaign since 1994, to continue to practice its true meaning in God's love to save farming despite the enormous industrial development in Korea. (Agenzia Fides 17/7/2006 righe 18 parole 206)
