Korean bishops elect new president, approve guidelines on sexual violence

Korean bishops have elected Bishop Augustine Kim Jong-su of Daejeon as the new president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea. The bishops also approved guidelines on sexual violence within the Church, as reported by CPBC, the South Korean Catholic broadcaster, on October 22. Kim, 70, chaired the conference’s special committee on sexual violence, which developed the guidelines. The bishops convened their plenary assembly in Seoul from October 19 to 21, during which they also elected Bishop John Baptist Jung Shin-chul of Incheon as vice president and Archbishop Simon Ok Hyun-jin of Gwangju as secretary, each for a three-year term.

In addition to the new leadership, the bishops approved a question-and-answer guide on artificial intelligence and a sign-language Order of Mass. They encouraged all dioceses to participate in a year of prayer for peace on the Korean Peninsula, starting December 8, in preparation for World Youth Day Seoul 2027. When asked about potential plans to introduce abortion pills in South Korea, Kim stated that people have “no right to lay a hand on life itself,” according to Yonhap news.

The Catholic Church in Burundi is supporting over 80,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo through cooperation with humanitarian organizations. The Diocese of Bururi, under the leadership of Bishop Salvator Niciteretse, has been involved in providing assistance to the refugees, including working with the International Committee of the Red Cross and the United Nations Children’s Fund. Bishop Niciteretse noted that the diocese previously hosted more than 30,000 refugees, who have since been relocated to other parts of the country.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Scotland announced that its president, Bishop John Keenan, would step back from his daily duties following medical advice. The conference stated in an October 22 statement that Bishop Keenan is undergoing medical investigations and will require further tests and examinations in the coming weeks. During this time, he will continue to engage in pastoral and spiritual activities as advised by his medical team.

The Church’s efforts in Burundi reflect a commitment to protecting the vulnerable and fostering peace, echoing the biblical call to “defend the cause of the weak and the fatherless” (Proverbs 31:8-9). Through initiatives aimed at healing the social fabric and promoting human dignity, the Church continues to serve as a beacon of compassion and justice.

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