The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea has elected Bishop Augustine Kim Jong-su of Daejeon as its new president and approved guidelines addressing sexual violence within the Church.
The decisions were announced following the bishops’ plenary assembly, held in Seoul from October 19 to 21, according to South Korean Catholic broadcaster CPBC.
Kim, 70, previously chaired the conference’s special committee on sexual violence in the Church, which developed the newly approved guidelines.
The bishops also elected Bishop John Baptist Jung Shin-chul of Incheon as vice president and Archbishop Simon Ok Hyun-jin of Gwangju as secretary. Both appointments carry three-year terms.
Bishops Approve AI Guide and Sign-Language Mass
During the assembly, the bishops approved a question-and-answer guide on artificial intelligence and a sign-language version of the Order of Mass.
They also called on dioceses throughout the country to participate in a year of prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula, beginning December 8, ahead of World Youth Day Seoul 2027.
When asked about possible plans to introduce abortion pills in South Korea, Kim said that people have “no right to lay a hand on life itself”, Yonhap reported.
Catholic Church in Burundi Assists More Than 80,000 Congolese Refugees
The Catholic Church in Burundi is working with humanitarian organisations to provide assistance to more than 80,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The support is being delivered in cooperation with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Children’s Fund, according to ACI Africa.
Bishop Salvator Niciteretse, the local ordinary of the Diocese of Bururi, said his diocese had previously hosted more than 30,000 refugees before they were transferred to other parts of the country.
“We are seeking to heal the social fabric through meetings and initiatives aimed at forming consciences to respect life, human dignity, and the common good,” Niciteretse said.
He added that gatherings involving several thousand young people had been organised nationally, with local families providing accommodation for participants.
Scottish Bishop John Keenan Steps Back From Duties
The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland has announced that its president, Bishop John Keenan, will step back from his daily responsibilities following medical advice.
In an October 22 statement, the conference said Keenan had been undergoing medical investigations and would require further tests and examinations over the coming weeks.
During his absence, Vicar General Monsignor Joe Burke will oversee the day-to-day administration of the Diocese of Paisley.
Keenan hopes to provide an update after the investigations have been completed. The conference also said he was grateful for the prayers offered for him.
Maronite Patriarch Concludes Historic Visit to Greece
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Bechara Boutros Rai has concluded the first visit to Greece by a Maronite patriarch, with the trip strengthening relations between the Maronite Church and the Orthodox Church.
During the visit, Rai travelled to Mount Athos, Athens, Thessaloniki and Corinth, exploring the shared Christian heritage of Greece and Lebanon, ACI MENA reported.
The visit also led to plans for a pilgrimage route connecting Corinth with Lebanon’s Qadisha Valley, building on cooperation established in 2019.
Rai drew comparisons between Mount Athos and Lebanon’s historic monasteries, expressing concern about neglect and emigration affecting the Qadisha Valley. He also highlighted the Lebanese government’s responsibility to preserve the area’s heritage and support its communities.
Egyptian Catholics Mark 100 Years of World Mission Sunday
Catholics of the Latin rite in Egypt marked the centenary of World Mission Sunday with a Mass in Cairo under the theme “One in Christ, United in Mission”.
Monsignor Antoine Tawfik told worshippers that all Christians shared responsibility for spreading the Gospel through prayer, love and service, according to ACI MENA.
Referring to the examples of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Thérèse of Lisieux, Tawfik warned that neglecting the Church’s missionary responsibilities could affect its ability to pass on the faith to future generations.
Thirteen-Year-Old Catholic Boy Attacked by Sectarian Gang in Northern Ireland
A 13-year-old Catholic boy was injured in an attack by a group of masked men in Derry, Northern Ireland, according to the Irish News.
The report said the boy was beaten with metal pipes and crawled underneath a car to escape the attackers. He sustained facial injuries and was taken to hospital, but his injuries were not life-threatening.
The attack occurred amid heightened tensions between Protestant and Catholic communities over a planned unionist march through a Catholic neighbourhood. The UK government subsequently blocked the march.
The report indicated that the attackers appeared to be adult men wearing masks.
Catholic Schools in Syria Launch Early Childhood Teacher Training
Approximately 115 kindergarten teachers from 18 Catholic schools in Syria have participated in a training programme focused on early childhood education.
The initiative was organised by the General Secretariat of Catholic Educational Institutions in cooperation with Shaghaf Academy, with support from L’Œuvre d’Orient.
According to ACI MENA, the training covered child psychology, classroom management and effective communication to help teachers better understand children’s emotional and educational needs.
Church leaders said education should extend beyond the delivery of information to include the development of character, confidence and values.
Organisers expressed hope that the programme would strengthen Catholic education in Syria and eventually be expanded to other grade levels.
