We Catholics are a minority in Korea but we play an important part in society all over the country.

On the occasion of the visit to the Church in South Koreaby Cardinal Crescenzio Sepe, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, Fides Service asked Fr John Kim, director of Pontifical Mission Societies in Korea, about the reaction in the local Church to the visit of the mission Prefect.

How did the Church in Korea welcome the Cardinal?.

We welcomed him with deep affection and joy. We Catholics of Korea have welcomed the Cardinal with the same warmth we gave to the Holy Father. His Eminence was visibly moved on this first visit to Korea, as he said on his arrival. At the airport he was met by leading members of the local Church and thousands of ordinary Catholics. The Cardinal was overjoyed and moved.

What do you hope the visit of the Cardinal will bring to your country, where Catholics are a minority?
It is true we Catholics are a minority, but we make an important contribution to the social life of the country. We work in various fields, education, health-care and other social services. I think that the visit will offer the Prefect of the Mission Congregation an opportunity to see for himself the situation in Asia, the Far East, Korea, Japan, Mongolia in order to plan future pastoral strategy. The Cardinal's visit will broaden the vision of Propaganda Fide and bring fruits for the Church's mission in Asia.

What challenges face the Church in Korea?
A major challenge is human promotion: we work intensely to promote justice, peace and reconciliation. We are involved in social services and also in the process of national reunification between North and South. Despite the recent incident between naval ships of north and south, the Church does not lose hope, but continues to find opportunities for dialogue. We realise that the path ahead is long and arduous, but we entrust our mission to the Lord, and we rely on the support and prayers of the whole Church. (See sounds and pictures www.fides.org ) (GP. PA) (Fides Service 4/7/2002)