A delegation of lay Catholics from Korea, led by Mgr. Andrew Yeom Soo-jung, visited some of the works of the diocese of Bangkok to exchange ideas on how to live lay witness in contemporary Asian society in. In addition to Mgr. Yeom, the president of the Korean Catholic Commission for the Laity, also a priest, Fr Min Myong Dok, secretary general of the Commission.
They were received by Fr Vincent Eakapong Pongsungnern, from the Commission for lay Catholics in Thailand, who accompanied them on a visit to the Samphran pastoral centre, Nakhon Pathom, specializing in the education of the laity.
They wanted to find out more about the catechetical method used in Thailand to prepare catechumens for baptism some of whom they also met.
The Korean delegation was also able to attend a mass in the cathedral of Bangkok, dedicated to the Assumption and meet some groups of lay people of the parish. After the mass they met with the archbishop of Bangkok, Mgr. Francis Xavier Kriengsak Kovithavanij.
Bishop Yeom gifted the Archbishop of Bangkok a copy of a book about the Korean martyrs.
The history of the Korean Church and its martyrs is linked to the history of the Thai Church. Fr. Barthelemy Bruguiere, of the missionaries of Paris (MEP), after being coadjutor to the Apostolic Vicar of Siam, was sent to Korea where he became apostolic vicar and later the first bishop of Korea (1831 -1835).
In 1829 Mgr. Esprit-Marie-Joseph Florens, MEP, Apostolic Vicar of Siam sent Fr. Laurent Marie-Joseph Imbert, also a missionary of the MEP, to succeed Fr Bruguiere April 26, 1836.
Bishop Imbert was later beheaded in Saenam t'o, near Seoul, during the persecution unleashed against Christians. Bishop Imbert, along with other MEP priests, was canonized by John Paul II in 1984, along with dozens of other Korean martyrs.
Bishop Imbert was also the first to collect a precise historical documentation on the Korean martyrs.
“We want our warm relationship to continue as in the past” - said Msgr. Yeong archbishop.
The Korean delegation's visit also focused on preparation for the Congress of lay Catholics in Asia, to be held in South Korea from 31 August to 5 September this year.
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