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The purpose of the Church’s social doctrine is to help people overcome suffering, not avoid it, according the president of the justice and peace committee of Seoul archdiocese.
Father Timothy Yu Gyoung-chon was speaking Jan. 19 at the start of the first session of a four-week course on the Church’s social doctrine.
The annual course held especially for university students since 2009 ends on Feb. 11.
“The social doctrine originated from the Gospel and demonstrates the Church’s love and concern for society,” Father Yu told some 30 participants.
“For college students who do not care about social issues, this course teaches them about the Church’s social teaching, which is very meaningful,” he later told ucanews.com.
He expressed disappointment at the number of participants this year saying that the numbers have been decreasing from 46 in 2009 to 28 this year.
During the class, Augustine Nah Jeong-won, professor of politics at Kangwon National University, told participants that “Social doctrine is to practice God’s words everywhere,” and told them to show more interest in social issues.
The committee also conducts a 10-week course on social teachings twice a year, mainly for working adults.