Seoul (Fides Service) - "It is not enough to care for Koreans overseas, it is time to provide assistance to foreign immigrant workers here in Korea" Rev. Peter Kang U-il, chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Commission for pastoral care of migrants and itinerant peoples, told Fides Service. The Commission intends to encourage activities of solidarity, co-ordination and cooperation in every diocese for pastoral care for immigrants.
Aware of the problems facing 300,000 foreign workers in Korea, Fr Kang U-il said: "on the basis of her vision of the world and understanding of the human person, the Church must help to change the common attitude towards foreign workers. Koreans must realise that foreign labour is important for our country's economy. The Church should ask the government to eliminate discrimination of foreign workers, men and women, who have a right to respect for their dignity and fundamental rights. Abraham, our father in the faith, and his people, the Jews were an itinerant people. God took care of them. We are all created in the image of God, and therefore we all have equal dignity and rights whatever our nationality, creed or colour". PA (Fides Service 23/1/2003)