S. Korea: Close encounters on the ecumenical and interreligious fronts

(Vatican Radio) A large delegation of Catholic ecumenical experts, headed by Bishop Brian Farrell of the Pontifical Council for Christian Unity, is in the South Korea capital meeting with leaders of other churches and other religious communities. On Tuesday, the delegation will be travelling onto Busan in the south of the country for the 10th Assembly of the World Council of Churches taking place from October 30th to November 8^th.

Philippa Hitchen is travelling with the group and reports on the second day of their action packed tour….

It’s been a simply unforgettable day for our delegation, on both the ecumenical and interfaith fronts.

First thing in the morning, we were warmly welcomed to a 16th century Buddhist temple, where we sat on cushions on the floor, listening to shaven headed monks and black clad bishops discussing interior peace and practical interreligious projects.

Then it was off to the main Protestant Hanshin University to hear what a crucial role students and staff played in the struggle for democracy here throughout the 60s, 70s and 80s. It was here too that we met one of Korea's most unlikely TV stars, an elderly professor of classical Chinese philosophy, who's struck a chord with younger audiences trying to reconnect to their country's rich cultural values and traditions.

In the afternoon we visited the Jeoldusan Martyrs' shrine, a strikingly modern complex built in the shape of a traditional Korean hat, jutting out on a hill overlooking the River Han. It is here that the relics of 27 Catholic martyrs are kept, canonized by Pope John Paul II during his first visit to Korea in 1984. It was here too that we joined local pilgrims for Mass, recalling the suffering and persecution of so many believers in the past, yet celebrating the extraordinary vitality their sacrifice seems to have brought to the Church in Korea today.

Finally at sunset, we toured one of the city's largest and most beautiful royal palaces, an endless maze of brightly painted, pinewood pagodas, set against the stunning autumnal gold, red and green leaves reflected in surrounding pools, symbolising harmony with neighbour and with nature.

Struggling to take in today's kaleidoscope of sensory and spiritual experiences, I was struck yet again by the realisation of just how much we can learn from each other’s' ancient wisdom and more contemporary witness to the world. How small our own efforts at reconciliation sometimes seem, yet together what powerful force for justice and peace we could be.

And that's exactly what the next step of this journey - the World Council of Churches Assembly in Busan - is all about.