SPOTLIGHT 25/04/04 Korean association hailed for fostering priestly vocation

[성기화 요셉]

Archdiocese of Seoul reached the milestone of 1,000 priests recently

Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek (front-center) is seen with members of the Vocation Support Association of the Archdiocese of Seoul at Myeongdong Cathedral in Seoul on April 4. (Photo: Archdiocese of Seoul)

By UCA News reporter

Published: April 05, 2025 04:19 AM GMT

Updated: April 05, 2025 08:04 AM GMT

A top South Korean Church leader has hailed an association run by clergy and laypeople for making significant contributions to increasing priestly vocations in a country grappling with low birthrate and gradual decline in religiosity.

“By the grace of our good and loving Father, and through your concern, support, and generous contributions, we have reached a historic moment,” Archbishop Peter Chung Soon-taek of Seoul said on April 4.

“In this 180th year since the ordination of Korea’s first native priest, Saint Andrew Kim Dae-geon, the number of diocesan priests in the Archdiocese of Seoul has finally reached one thousand,” he noted.

Chung made the remarks during the homily of special Mass celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Vocation Support Association of the Archdiocese of Seoul. The liturgy at Myeongdong Cathedral of Seoul brought together clergy, religious, and hundreds of lay faithful, says a press release from the archdiocese.

The association was founded on April 17, 1975, as the Seminarian Support Group, by seminary staff and 15 laywomen under the guidance of the late priest, Kim Deok-jae. It was renamed the Vocation Support Association in October 1977.

For the past five decades, this lay apostolate has operated under the supervision of the Vocations Department of the Archdiocese, working to sustain vocations through prayer, financial support, and community formation.

Chung recalled the history of the association and thanked God for the good work it carried out over the past five decades, which resulted in a notable number of priests being ordained year after year.

“This growth would not have been possible without God’s grace, and without the devoted efforts of the priests and members who have served this mission,” he said.

A vocation is a gift from God, but it is also a gift that must be nurtured and cultivated in order to come to fulfillment, he reminded.

Chung, however, pointed out various challenges to the priestly vocation today.

“Sadly, we are witnessing a steady decline in priestly vocations today. I ask all of you, our members and supporters, to pray even more fervently, and to encourage your neighbors and communities to support vocations in every way possible.”

The association’s current president, Yeong-suk Park, expressed gratitude and renewed purpose, saying, “Thanks to the many people who have stood with us in the development and formation of priestly vocations in the Archdiocese of Seoul, we have now reached the incredible milestone of one thousand diocesan priests."

“We give thanks to God for this amazing providence. I will simply add my heartfelt thanks — and invite you to become laborers in the field of vocations,” she added.

South Korea faces a demographic crisis due to record-low birth rates and a rapidly rising elderly population.

Various studies conducted by the Catholic Church have suggested a steady decline in priestly and religious vocations in the country. Low birth rate, increasing secularization, and lack of religiosity were cited as main reasons behind the drop in vocations.