Joseph Yun Li-sun

The followers of the syncretic religion , about 3 million throughout Korea , announce a public manifesto against the executive. The Blue House "has considerably reduced people’s confidence in the State ."

The Japanese Diet will vote on December 6 on a decree granting the government special powers on matters considered "sensitive" . The Episcopal Commission for Justice and Peace : " The text is too dangerous , it covers too many topics and puts at risk the Constitution and commitment to peace that we took on before the world ."

According to Msgr . Lazzaro You Heung- sik "the Apostolic Exhortation by Pope Francis shows us how to move forward, how to move ahead to face the challenges of the modern world . It reminds us that the Christian’s uniform is the ' face of the Risen Christ’ in short the joy of resurrection in the Gospel".

A committee representing Protestant Churches opposed to interference by the secret services criticises the government for its attacks against a Catholic priest, Fr Park Chang-shin, calling on the president to take a step back before it is too late.

A thousand Buddhist monks took to the streets to denounce intelligence agency interference and criticise the president for her "inability to communicate with the public." On 16 December, a group of Protestant clergymen will begin ten days of prayer and hunger strike against the government. Tensions with the ruling party continue, as it attacks the Church in right-wing newspapers.

Mgr Andrew Yeom Soo-jung reminds the Church of its doctrine and teachings after remarks by Fr Park Chang-Shin sparks mega controversy. For him, Christians "must be involved in politics", but "the Pastors of the Church" cannot "intervene directly in the political structuring and organisation of social life." False bomb alert is made as police is deployed around Seoul's cathedral.

Fr Park Chang-shin, a priest from the Diocese of Jeonju and a member of the Catholic Priests' Association for Justice, celebrated a Mass in which he demanded that the government be held accountable for fraud and interference by the secret services in the 2012 elections. Speaking on tensions with the North, he said that it was natural for Pyongyang to attack the island because the South and the US held military exercises near its sea border. Outraged, the government is pressing charges against him. With police around Seoul cathedral, Seoul archbishop notes, "It is not the role of priests to directly intervene in political or social organisations".

The archbishop of the South Korean capital will celebrate a solemn Mass in the Cathedral next Sunday. However, as the director of the Archdiocese' secretariat explained to AsiaNews, the service will not mark "the end of something but rather the 'beginning of a new Christian commitment" to the "mission that must now continue". This includes parish-level activities to promote the "basics" of the Catholic faith.

Archbishop Takami concelebrated Mass with the Pope in Santa Marta. "I told him about our invitation to him to visit the country. He did not answer outright, but he was very satisfied. Let's hope he comes because his example has brought many Christians back to the Church. Even non-Christians in Japan follow him, impressed by his example and his words."

The venerable Jinje leads the Jogye Order , the largest in the country with 20 million faithful. During the visit to the shrine of Chon Jin Am , which houses the remains of the first Korean Catholic laity, he stopped under a large statue of Mary Queen of Peace: "Very happy to be here."

Fr. Ham Se- woong , a Catholic priest known throughout South Korea for his leading role in the 1970’s protests against the dictator Park Chung -hee , has joined the Alliance for Cooperation: "what 's happening, happened in the last century. The government must repent and retract. And we must be vigilant to save democracy".

The Kim regime has granted a humanitarian organization - which also includes several Catholic priests - permission to run 12 sanatoriums. Fr. Gerard Hammond, who has worked with the North for 20 years: "The government is more awareof the problem and is making some important concessions. For our part, we do not hide our Catholic identity" .