Women Church leaders in Korea discuss strategies to tackle “culture of death”

Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 17, 2004 – Religious women leaders of the Church of South Korea discussed and dialogued recently at their annual meeting how to promote a "culture of life" in the Church, society and their own congregations.

The 37th general meeting of the Association of Major Superiors of Religious Women in Korea, held last month between 25–28 October in Uiwang, near Seoul, drew 63 nuns from 55 Religious congregations and institutes.

Focusing on the theme "Witnessing the Good News as Women Disciples, Women Serving Life," the nuns listened to lectures on the role of women Religious in promoting a culture of life.

Sister Clare Jo Myoung–won, secretary general of the association shared that the nuns analyzed anti–life forces in the Church, religious communities and society. She said the nuns recognized their call to devote themselves to transforming the disruptive "culture of death."

The women Religious superiors resolved to come up with specific steps by the end of the year and incorporate them in courses at the Institute of Women Religious Formation Directors or through ongoing formation programs, according to Sister Jo.

The institute was set up by the association to train formation directors to have a better grasp of local Church realities. Its programs include spirituality, psychology and modern society.

During their meeting the nuns also discussed preparations for the next fellowship of Korean and Japanese nuns and for the 14th Asia–Oceania Meeting of Religious (AMOR XIV), scheduled to be held in Korea in 2006.

Japanese and Korean women Religious started cultural exchange visits in 2003, when 24 Japanese nuns visited Korea. This year, 18 Korean women Religious visited Japan.

"The cultural exchange between Korea and Japan will enhance understanding of each other's culture and history. Also, this cooperation will play an important role in evangelizing Japan and Asia," Sister Jo said. Japan occupied Korea from 1910 until the end of World War II, in 1945.

During the meeting, the AMOR XIV preparatory committee provisionally set the theme for the 2006 meeting as "Mary in Asia and Women Religious."