Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Seoul (Agenzia Fides) - The Catholic Church in South Korea must seek alternative ways of preserving and managing its cultural heritage, which can also be a channel of evangelisation. This emerged from a 1st Symposium on the Preservation and Management of Cultural Heritage of the Church organised by the Committee for Culture of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea CBCK.
The symposium was a significant moment for Catholics of all walks of life to discuss ways to preserve and enhance shrines and church buildings. Various critical comments were made: little interest in the cultural heritage of the Church in Korea, administration and management influenced by personal opinions of certain members of the clergy and specialists. In addition as modern constructions are focused not on conservation but on development when opening shrines, the side effect was oversize and tourist commercialism. Experts illustrated new techniques for preservation of buildings, works of art and books.
The participants agreed on the importance to preserve religious buildings and particularly works of art from bad weather and corrosive agents, works of art should be kept in suitable places such as museums. Since religious works of art are a channel of evangelisation they should be accessible to as many people as possible by means of communication, exhibitions, campaigns etc.
It emerged that a painting, a sculpture, an ancient document can be a means of catechesis, a word which carries the Good News to the men and women of today, touching hearts and drawing people to the faith. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 6/12/2006 righe 25 parole 252)
