South Korea
The South Korean Catholic Church is working to bring Pope Francis’ teachings about environment to life.
Catholics in Anyang parish of Suwon Diocese in South Korea use a bin to collect plastics as part of environmental protection campaign. (Photo: Anyang Parish)
Catholics in South Korea are engaging in various programs and actions for environmental protection and conservation, taking cues from Pope Francis’ groundbreaking environmental Encyclical Laudato si.
Chuncheon DioceseA plan has been approved to conduct a special training program on Sunday school catechists about the church’s teachings about the environment. According to a report on diocesan website, the two-phase training program will take place on May 27-28th and October 14-15th.
The training programs will be led by Father Kim Seonryu Kim, chairman, Diocesan Environment Committee.
The diocese also made environmental studies mandatory in Sunday schools.
Father Won Hoon is the director of Diocesan Youth Commission. He stated that the training and education on environmental issues are part of the diocese’s pastoral plan. Laudato si 7-Year JourneyIt was established last year. It aims to learn and practice the values of the environment, creation, and the universal church.
Father Won stated that this year, they plan to offer leadership training for the youth. “So that they can gain a better understanding and integrate it with their faith journey.
All parishes are also encouraged by the dioceses to form Laudato si 7-Year Journey Action Plan and encouraged Catholics to live an environment-friendlylife.
Father Kim stated that the diocese has designated Solol and Mancheon as models. Laudato si journey.
“We encourage our faithfuls to participate in environmental-friendly activities at parishes as well as at family levels, so that we can live a holistic ecological spirituality in light of the Gospel. Laudato siFather Kim said:
Meanwhile, Suwon DioceseIt is also important to implement Laudato siInitiatives and emphasizing carbon neutralityNet-zero carbon dioxide refers to the balance between carbon emissions, and absorbing carbon emissions into carbon sinks.
Kim Hyung-jung, a member the diocese’s environmental committee, stated that the church has made environmental protection a part Catholics’ daily lives. Catholic Times of Korea.
Catholics, for example, have been collecting plastic caps and bottles as part of their penitential efforts to be environmentally responsible. Ecological movementDuring Lent and continues today, he stated.
The local parish in Anyang promotes the use of superin, a system that collects cans and transparent plastic bottles within the city. A machine is used to separate the recyclables.
Kim stated that the project has been made public so that people of other faiths could also join the effort. The campaign is spread via promotional videos, weekly newsletters and parish bulletins.
Catholic parishes also have installed bulletin boards with 46 environmental protection techniques in daily life, prepared by the environmental committee of the diocese.
For parish events, Catholics should use personal containers like tumblers to replace disposable cups. They are also encouraged to use candles made out of natural materials to reduce carbon emissions.
The campaign also aims to provide basic education. Laudati siFor all Catholics As part of it Laudato siReading groups would be created and expanded.
The diocese wants to also establish solar power plants with the help of solar power cooperatives.
Anyang parish will build the first solar energy facility in the second half of this year.
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