By Agenzia Fides
Jan 22 2022
PALO – A religious congregation based in Korea has launched a missionary program and opened its first seminary outside the country, in the Philippines. The “Kkottongnae Congregation of Brother Jesus”, a Korean religious congregation committed to the poor and vulnerable, has inaugurated its Seminary in Palo, a city on the island of Leyte, in the central Philippines.
The Kkottongnae House of Spirituality is part of the works of the congregation, which provides assistance and accompaniment to orphans and the elderly. Pope Francis visited the place on his trip to Korea in 2014, and inaugurated it. The work is managed by the community of Kkottongnae, led by Fr. Philip Park, local superior of the congregation. In recent years, the institute has looked beyond its national borders, launching missionary projects.
Monsignor John Du, Archbishop of Palo, blessed the new seminary, noting: “This is the first Seminary of the Kkottongnae Congregation outside of Korea. This place will become the house of formation for the brothers who will be members of the congregation, and who wish to dedicate themselves to the service of the last, the marginalized, the destitute”, he said.
The Archbishop praised the collaboration and missionary cooperation between his archdiocese and the Korean institute of Kkottongnae “for the mission of Christ and in the care of the poor”. The entire Catholic community of Palo – he said – will strive to work together with you to bring God’s love and mercy especially to the poor”. Founded by a charismatic Korean priest named John Oh in 1976, the Kkottongnae Institute was inspired by a beggar named Choi Gwi Dong who, despite his disabilities, managed to care for 18 other sick beggars.
The Kkottongnae Institute is located in the diocese of Cheongju, about 120 kilometers from Seoul. Helps thousands of homeless, disabled, orphans and alcoholics. The social works promoted by the institute are already present in several countries around the world such as Bangladesh, Nigeria, Paraguay and others. (SD-PA) (Agenzia Fides, 21/1/2022)
