Stop threatening the dignity of life, say South Korean bishops
by Theresa Kim Hwa-young

Seoul (AsiaNews) – In South Korea, "new trends such as Dr Hwang's embryo research are threatening the dignity of human life," said Mgr Peter Lee Ki-heon, president of the Committee for Family Pastoral Ministry of Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea.

He spoke at a meeting in which he urged Catholics to go forward with plans to help the family and life.

Greater involvement of the laity and improvements to pre-matrimonial programmes at the diocesan level were among the main topics of discussion that emerged from the event.

According to the Committee, "educating the laity about bioethics must first and foremost be part of the Sunday message."

Mgr Lee and other prelates also proposed to set up a subcommittee to plan and coordinate the affairs of family pastoral ministry.

They also elaborated a plan to integrate marriage and bioethics programmes in each diocese and agreed to further develop educational programmes for teenagers, catechesis for the family, assistance for engaged couples and for spouses.

Mgr Lee explained that "there must first be an education for marriage along with that for children before we can establish the correct culture of life".

He also urged each diocese to do its best to systematically develop education plans by supporting them through information exchange.