Seoul Archdiocese wants to become the ecclesiastical version of a
dandelion, spreading priests the world over to "fall on good soil," as
Jesus said.
On Feb. 3, Seoul Archdiocese ordained 27 priests
making the total number in the archdiocese 892. Archbishop Osvaldo
Padilla, apostolic nuncio to Korea, was at the ordination in Seoul.
"Now
that churches worldwide suffer a lack of priests, the number of priests
in this archdiocese is a blessing not only to churches in Korea, but
the world," the archbishop said.
Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-jung of Seoul said that he wanted to share his priests with the wider world.
"Churches
in Europe are suffering from a lack of priests. I hope more and more
priests will go abroad and do their missionary works," he said.
"As
Pope Francis wants our archdiocese to play an important role in the
Asian church and the world, we should grow up to be a more giving
church," the prelate said.
"Although our archdiocese is still
growing, we need to reflect on our role as the salt and light of the
world which is full of selfishness and secularism. Our priests need to
care for socially vulnerable people and be 'rice' to others," Cardinal
Yeom said.
Apart from increasing priests, the archdiocese has a
new Committee for Clergy which helps priests in their pastoral
activities and acts as a mentor to them, listening to their hardships.
"The
committee will be a place for priests to communicate with bishops of
the archdiocese and be a place where all the priests, especially the
young ones, can raise their voices freely," Cardinal Yeom added.