Korea

A more substantial and organised quest for ways to spread joy by sharing blessings with the world in need, particularly with the poor countries in Asia Pacific, began to bear fruit in Korea. On March 2 , Joy of Sharing Foundation became a registered NGO with the approval of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Republic of Korea.

Fresh faces are filling up the novitiates across Asia Pacific.  Last February, Korea accepted five novices. In March, Indonesia welcomed 12 and Australia has three. Philippines has added five. And by the end of April, three more will be in the Myamar Novitiate.  Thank you God for these abundant gifts!

The Korean province assembly was held in the newly consecrated Jesuit Apostolic Center in Seoul last January 15 – 17. The assembly stemmed from the ardent desire to implement the spirit of GC 35 so that the spirit infiltrates into every fibre of its apostolates and communities. Since March 2009, a total of 12 preparatory meetings paved the way for Jesuits to get together as a part of the preparation of the assembly.

Four Jesuits were ordained as deacons in a joyful celebration at St Ignatius Church in Richmond, Australia on 3 December.

Korean Jesuits Shin-jae Youh, Jin-hyon Lee, and Jin-hyuk Park, were joined by East Timorese Jesuit Plínio Gusmão Martins at the ordination, with Bishop Greg O'Kelly presiding. Read more. . .

SEOUL (UCAN) -- Two cardinals, one from Seoul and the other from Manila, who saw their countries through transitions to democracy, epitomized two different aspects of pastoral leadership, says an Asian theology lecturer.

Fr Bob McIntosh, Socius of Korea for 16 years, will moved on to a new assignment as Korean Province Archivist. Fr Chong Che-chon will be replacing him.

Fr Matthias Chae Joonho (KOR) arrived last June 30 in Manila to start with his new mission as the Formation Delegate of JCEAO. Fr Tom Steinbugler and Ms Lucy Dimalanta welcomed him at the airport and treated him to lunch before bringing him to the Arrupe International Residence.

On July 30, Fr Matthias Chae, Provincial of Korea, sent out the information that Fr. General has appointed Fr John Won-sik Sin as the next Provincial of Korea. Fr John was born in 1961, entered the Society in 1986, was ordained in 1996. He has been the novice master in Korea Province for the last seven years. Hopefully, Fr John can take office by September 1st.

Fr Christopher Spalatin (KOR) joined the staff of Arrupe International Residence last May 28. He will be one of the spiritual fathers of the scholastics. We are very grateful to the Korean Province for their generosity in allowing Fr Spalatin to help in the formation of our brothers.

Last May 24, Fr Joseph Doan, EAO Regional Assistant, informed Fr. Matthias Chae and Fr. Adolfo Nicolás that Fr. General has decided to make Cambodia a "Mission Territory" of the Korean Province.

Cambodia continues to be a shared responsibility of the whole Assistancy in what regards Personnel and Financial needs. Thus we firmly hope that different Units will continue to send Jesuits and support the different apostolic projects.