Seoul, Korea, 24 August 2022 -- The Catholic origins of Korea are unique and extraordinary. Yi Seung-hun baptised in China, returned in 1784 and baptised several others. Thus, the Korean Catholic church grew without the help of foreign missionaries, until a bishop from the Paris Foreign Missionary Society arrived in 1836. Many missionaries, priests, and church members were martyred. In 1984, Pope John Paul II canonized 103 saints and in 1914, Pope Francis beatified 124 persons. Between 8,000 – 10,000 were killed during the 19th century. The first Korean Catholic priest, Andrew Kim Teagon, executed in 1846, 13 months after his ordination. He was just 26 years old.
In the 17th century Christianity was introduced to Korea. The new believers called themselves Chonju Kyo Udul, meaning ‘Friends of the Teaching of God in Heaven’. In the Confucian understanding it implied an equality of relationships. While scholars introduced Christianity to Korea, most believers were the common folk. The dynamic Catholic communities were led almost entirely by educated laypeople from the aristocracy, as they were the only ones who could read the books written in Hanja. Requests to Beijing, 750 miles away, resulted in two priests being sent, but their ministry was short-lived. In 1836, the Paris Foreign Mission Society began its work in Korea with the arrival of Fr Maubant. Serious dangers awaited the missionaries who dared to enter Korea. All those who aided and sheltered them were in constant danger of losing their lives. Bp Laurent Imbert and ten other French Missionaries from the Parish Foreign Missionary society were the first to embrace a different culture. They hid during the day, celebrated the sacraments, and attended to the spiritual needs of the faithful at night.
The Catholics gathered in one place with no distinction based on class, thus undermining g Confucianism. This was looked down upon by the establishment and gave rise to systematic persecution. Most martyrs were simple lay people, including men and women, married and single, old and young. “The Koreans possess the most perfect dispositions for receiving the faith. Once convinced, he attaches himself to it, despite the sacrifices it may cost him”, said Simeon François Berneux.
The organizers of the SIGNIS Congress offered the participants an insight into the tradition, culture, history, and faith of a people that has withstood persecution for over a hundred years. On September 14, 2018, the ‘Catholic Seoul pilgrimage Route’ was declared as Asia’s first Vatican-approved international pilgrimage site.
Visiting the Seosomun Martyrs’ Shrine, Jeoldusan Martyrs’ Shrine, Myeongdong Cathedral, and other sites has been a personal reflective experience of my own commitment to faith amidst the trials and difficulties of my daily life.
