Catholicism in Korea

By Bernard Rowan

Pope Francis has made a historic trip to Korea. His successful visit signals the growing importance of Korea to the church. It also symbolizes the importance of Catholicism in Korea and Asia today.

Korean Catholicism has a history dating to the late 18th century. Today, more than 10 percent of Koreans are Catholics. The Korean Catholic Church is growing. North Korea also has Catholics. According to Wikipedia, there are three archdioceses in Korea (Seoul, Daegu and Gwangju) and 15 dioceses, with over 1,800 parishes. The church has grown by 70 percent over the last decade. I want to share with you some reflections on Korean Catholicism.

When I lived in Pungnap-dong, Songpa-gu, I attended services at Pungnap Catholic Church. Even though I spoke little Korean, I knew the liturgy of the Catholic Mass. I read the Order of the Mass and sang in Korean from the hymnal. The church and her parishioners were friendly and accepting. One week, the pastor welcomed guests, calling me out personally. I didn't feel like a stranger anymore.

Catholicism thrives in your country because today it's a path to participation in your society. The Korean Catholic Church forms part of the universal church. Catholics believe that the church is the body of Christ on Earth. Participation in the sacraments prepares for life in heaven. The Korean word for Catholicism is Cheonjugyo. This means "Religion of the Lord of Heaven." The Korean Catholic Church takes an active interest in the welfare of Koreans and all people, as indeed that's part of the mission of the universal Catholic Church.

This column is often concerned with the subject of syncretism in Korea. One of the keys to Korea's growth towards advanced nationhood is her ability to combine opposites. Koreans aren't afraid over time to mix and use what others treat as opposites. Koreans bridge what others treat as opposing views or ideas.

Have you been to Myeongdong Cathedral? Myeongdong Cathedral stands at the summit of an inviting hill. It's smack-dab in the middle of perhaps Seoul's best-known consumer district. As church buildings go, the interior is stark. There is little statuary and few monuments that typically adorn European cathedrals.

I find this instructive, since the style of Korean Catholicism is itself straightforward and direct. Koreans combine piety, simplicity and solemnity, what I also can see in the style of Korean Buddhism, in their Catholicism. Korean Catholicism is different from, even "opposed" to other Korean religions in doctrine. But it's culturally joined to, and takes on Koreans' national character and spirit.

The Cathedral historically has been a sanctuary for those who opposed Korea's military government and its policies. Many Catholic priests and faithful took part in the people's movement. Today, its hillside and grounds continue to be the site of occasional protests. Korean Catholicism twins with (joins and is syncretistic with) Korean democracy through the pursuit of freedom and the right of opposition.

Have you visited Jeoldu-san? Located in Mapo district, it's the site of thousands of Catholic martyrdoms. Let's not be too romantic. Koreans didn't take to Catholicism at first, to say the least. Faith and inspiration met with rejection and worse. Joseon neo-Confucianists didn't truck with syncretism. They persecuted Catholics. In fact, despite early Catholics' efforts to spread the faith, Joseon people murdered 8,000 of them. Historians and theorists critique Joseon neo-Confucianism for its hierarchy and misogyny. It also lacked a doctrine of toleration, let alone allowed people to worship Catholicism. Visit the Jeoldu-san shrine and museum, which contains many important historical records, texts, and evidences of early Korean Catholicism.

This past week, 100 times the number of martyred Koreans celebrated Mass with Pope Francis in Gwanghwamun. Many foreign observers noted the positive and enthusiastic reception of President Park Geun-hye and the Korean government. Times have changed. Francis beatified 124 of those martyrs.

But the reality of Catholicism in Korea, as everywhere, cannot escape the reach of politics. Religion and politics today are nothing like they were in the era of Charlemagne, in Europe and elsewhere. Hundreds of millions revere the Pope as Christ's representative on Earth. Global leaders respect his views. But his power over secular politics depends. The Church's views compete in the marketplace of ideas and don't always win.

So it is the North didn't welcome his visit. They launched some more missiles and banned North Korean Catholics from visiting. They didn't open their borders, let alone air the story of their continuing repression of Catholics in national media. No surprise there. No atonement, no rapprochement, no expectation of the unavoidable future.

Despite that pathetic side note, Koreans today can be rightly proud of the Catholic Church. Their tolerance and love for the faith are obvious and represent the living legacy of Korean spirituality.

Bernard Rowan is assistant provost for curriculum and assessment, professor of political science and faculty athletics representative at Chicago State University, where he has served for 21 years. He can be reached at browan10@yahoo.com.