[Post-Religion Era] ② "A Society Where Philosophy Disappeared Amid Economic Focus... No Place for Religion"

Seongso Director Lee Seong-woo of Seoul Archdiocese
"Core of Catholicism is Proclaiming God's Love"
"Not Primarily Social Welfare, but Striving to Help All in Need"
"Theology College Freshmen Around 20... Could Be a Problem in 10 Years"

Editor's NoteIn most religions, there is a noticeable decline and aging of prospective clergy members. While this is a natural phenomenon due to population decline, the influence of an era that values materialism is also cited as a major reason. How does the religious community perceive and respond to this phenomenon? Furthermore, how does religion exist in our society today, and what impact does it have? We take a closer look at the inner workings of Catholicism, Buddhism, and Christianity.

Korea is an unprecedented country in the history of global Catholicism. While most countries passively accepted the gospel from missionaries, Korea sought out the gospel before the missionaries even arrived. According to the "History of Korean Catholicism," in 1784, Yi Seung-hun traveled to Beijing, China, and was baptized by French Father Grangon. Subsequently, regular faith gatherings were held centered around Yi Seung-hun, marking the beginning of Catholic history on this land. Catholicism has had a significant tangible and intangible impact on Korean society. During the Joseon Dynasty, it denied the caste system based on Confucian ideology and preached the idea of equality for all people. The teaching that everyone is equal and precious before God created cracks in a caste society that accepted discrimination as natural. During the military dictatorship era, it fought against injustice. Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan was revered as a leader of justice and a respected elder of the era. Myeongdong Cathedral became a refuge for those fleeing unjust public authority. Later, in an era rampant with materialism, Catholicism has been striving to remind society of timeless values beyond material wealth and to lead a balanced society skewed by golden omnipotence. As of 2022, 4,686 priests are active on the front lines. However, a clear decline has been observed recently. The number of newly ordained priests decreased from 131 in 2012 to 96 in 2022. The number of seminarians also showed a significant drop from 1,285 in 2012 to 821 in 2022. While aging and population decline have had an impact, the shrinking position of religion suggests other reasons. We asked Father Lee Sung-woo, who was ordained in 1996 and served as the Director of the Vocations Office of the Archdiocese of Seoul in 2018, how they perceive and respond to this situation. The Vocations Office is responsible for selecting prospective seminarians from middle school students up to those under 28 years old and helping them become seminarians.

Father Lee Sung-woo, Director of the Vocations Office of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul, is responding to an interview with this publication. [Photo by Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul Public Relations Committee]

- Catholicism has had a profound impact on our society, earning public support by striving to uphold tangible and intangible values. However, regardless of this background, public interest in religion seems to be declining. How do you perceive this phenomenon, and what role do you play within it?

▲There are two nationwide Catholic gatherings each year, and at each, we deeply contemplate the role of Catholicism. The core is to proclaim God, who is love, to the world. Although social welfare is not the primary purpose of Catholicism, we still strive to express it through acts of charity and aid. You can say we exist wherever help is needed. This is to awaken the identity that humans resemble God, who is love. It is very important to read the signs of the times and proclaim messages accordingly; recently, we have been focusing on life. A culture of death is widespread, and the disregard for life has become severe. We are working to awaken human dignity. We also pay attention to issues related to social justice, such as wealth disparity, and proclaim messages to society regularly.

- Regarding social justice activities, the "Catholic Priests' Association for Justice" has faced criticism for being 'political.'

▲There is a misunderstanding that the Priests' Association for Justice represents the official stance of the Catholic Church, but that is not the case. The official social justice body of the Catholic Church is the Justice and Peace Committee. The Priests' Association for Justice is a nationwide group of priests but is an independent organization. It consists of priests interested in social justice who voluntarily gather to read social signs and raise prophetic voices. It does not represent the official position of the Catholic Church. You can listen to them as one voice among many.

- The public tends to perceive religion as an institution that provides charity and good deeds.

▲In fact, these are tasks that the state should properly handle, but religion has taken on these roles where the state lacked capacity or will. Recently, single mothers have become a significant issue, but social systems to care for them are still insufficient. Catholicism focuses on such areas from the perspective of valuing life. While other social welfare efforts may involve setting up facilities and caring for people, the fields of life and environment are not easy to approach. Nevertheless, there is a need in the times, and Catholicism responds sensitively to it.

- All religions are concerned about the decline in both believers and clergy. Catholic vocations (prospective priests and religious) are also decreasing. What is the current situation?

▲If we look only at the numbers, it is true that they have decreased. However, considering the population decline rate, it is still relatively maintained. When I was in high school, there were 65 students per class. At that time, 30 students entered the seminary annually, and over the past 30 years, the Archdiocese of Seoul has produced 900 priests. But now, a high school class has fewer than 30 students. Still, the number of new seminary students is maintained at about 20. However, if this trend continues, it could become a serious problem in about 10 years.

- There seem to be various causes, including aging and population decline. How do you perceive them?

▲Young people today have more things they want to do than when I was young. The range of choices has broadened. This is also related to economic power. In the past, when it was hard to make a living, it was difficult to think about other things, but as the economy boomed in the 1970s and 1980s, people had more capacity in life, and religion attracted more people. The Archdiocese of Seoul producing 900 priests over 30 years is unprecedented worldwide. We are the only country that holds ordination ceremonies in gymnasiums. But now, the positive effects have ended, and negative effects are emerging. There is criticism that Catholicism has become middle-class, which means the poor and powerless have been left behind. Also, religion has limits in matching the characteristics of young people who like stars. In the past, when Cardinal Kim Soo-hwan or Father Lee Tae-seok appeared in the media, many students came after seeing them, but now interest has greatly diminished. Ultimately, the priests encountered in churches today do not appeal to the next generation, and I find this heartbreaking.

- Social atmosphere and environment must also have an influence.

▲In the 20th century, after experiencing Japanese colonial rule and war, people were struggling to make a living and only shouted "Economy! Economy! Economy!" so philosophy disappeared. Religious people seek meaning in life and pursue values, but the essential philosophical base has vanished. High schools have become entrance exam academies, and universities, the ivory towers, have become job academies. Naturally, interest in religion has declined. The vocation to priesthood begins at home. If parents lose the power of faith, they cannot instill the dream of vocation in their children. Many attend church well until middle school, but when it comes to entrance exams, they are told to focus on getting into university first. Faith should be ingrained in the body, not just the mind, and if interrupted during growth, nine out of ten do not recover.

- Natural decline of clergy due to population decrease may not be a big problem, but if there are other reasons, responses are necessary. What concerns arise from the decline in clergy numbers?

▲There is a joke that religion does not fail because believers lack faith but because there are not enough clergy. Especially in Catholicism, clergy have a large role in duties, so if their numbers decrease, crises can arise in many ways. In European churches, the average age of priests is in their 70s. One priest manages three or four parishes, making it difficult to sustain vitality. Like elders in Protestant churches, Catholicism has pastoral councils composed of laypeople, but many 'liturgical' duties can only be performed by priests. If the number of priests decreases, quality inevitably declines.

- The Vocations Office identifies whether prospective clergy have the capabilities of priests. What process do they go through?

▲To become a priest, one must have three qualities: personality, intellect, and spirituality. Before entering the seminary, the Vocations Office oversees the pre-seminary stage, focusing on identifying these qualities. Some quit voluntarily, and some are asked to leave. Usually, about 200 come in the first year of middle school, and the number halves each year. By the third year of high school, about one-tenth remain. Some leave because they find it different from what they expected, or because new interests arise. In the past, celibacy was a major concern, but now many people simply choose not to marry, so it is not as big an issue. I often explained to students worried about 'never marrying and living like this forever' that it is not that they cannot marry but that they choose not to. (laughs) Actually, the most common reason for dropping out now is intellect (grades).

- What level of intellect is required?

▲They should be able to enter Catholic University. Abroad, training is possible within church schools, but domestically, if separated from regular universities, degrees cannot be obtained. Some may ask if intellect is necessary for clergy, but strangely, it goes hand in hand. When spirituality and personality are supported, intellect almost always follows. In fact, if someone had perfect personality and spirituality but poor academic performance, we would try to find a way, but it has been a long time since we faced such a dilemma.

- Given the decline in clergy, many efforts must have been made. What efforts have been undertaken?

▲The decline in vocations was predicted over 20 years ago. There used to be a minor seminary for pre-seminarians before the regular university (seminary) course, but it was closed in 1978 due to high school equalization. Since then, a separate class was created at Dongseong High School in 2009, maintaining a boarding life rhythm similar to the seminary for 14 years. Initially, there were some achievements. Like-minded friends gathered and enjoyed it, and both parents and students were satisfied. Parents did not have to worry about their children, and children liked being away from their parents. However, we felt it no longer fits the current era, so we decided not to operate it from next year. Despite significant investment, including scholarships, various issues such as a sense of elitism like 'If I continue like this, I can become a priest' led to the decision to discontinue.

- What additional measures are planned? While incentives to reduce inconvenience or provide benefits are important, a bigger picture touching on the essence seems necessary.

▲Until now, prospective seminarians were cared for alongside current seminarians. They attended Mass, prayed, shared, and exercised together, belonging to the same community. However, going forward, we plan to shift direction so that parish priests on the front lines provide closer management. We are forming a task force led by the diocesan bishop to brainstorm about vocations. We aim to apply this as early as the second half of this year. Vocations do not arise spontaneously. Communities must unite. Even if the church raises faithful believers, if the home emphasizes only studying, the connection will inevitably break. We will pay more attention to family pastoral care. Our society feels subordinated to the economy during rapid growth. I hope people think about humans, not just the economy. Only then can religion be seen. Unless it is a cult, religion has had a very positive impact on society. Within that context, clergy are necessary. I hope we can all think about this together.