In search of the roots of Korean Catholicism
South Chungcheong is holy ground for Korean Catholicism and symbol of Christian martyrdom
Published : 2014-08-08 21:45
Updated : 2014-08-08 21:45
DANGJIN, South Chungcheong Province ― Excitement over the pope’s visit prevails in South Chungcheong Province, with welcome placards hung at entrances of rural towns. Nestled in South Korea’s central region along the west coast, the province is usually not the most-visited tourist destination for Korean or foreign tourists.
“We’ve never had a VIP guest like Pope Francis visit the region and I don’t think we ever will in the future,” said Kim Jeong-gyum, director of the culture and tourism division of Seosan City Government, which is overseeing the pope’s visit to Haemi Martyr Site next week.
The leader of 1.2 billion Catholics is scheduled to spend three days of his five-day stay in the province.
The bay area of the region was where Catholicism first arrived in the country and grew rapidly in the late 1700s. The area spans the four towns of Dangjin, Yesan, Hongseong and Seosan. The once-flourishing sea trade area was open to new ideas and culture and was one of the first regions to accept Christianity during the Joseon period. It spread quickly among commoners and slaves who were discontent with the strict social class system and inequality of the Confucian Joseon era.
http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140808000909
There's a Benedictine abbey near me that almost closed until some monks from Korea transferred there to keep it open.
http://www.newtonosb.org/?mid=history