Pictured above: Sam Chok, 1975: with Sisters Evelyn Mannion, Mary Nugent, David Mannion, Teresa O’Connell, Clare Farren, and Winfried Cunnigham
To celebrate the 70th year of our cherished association and connection with Korea we will publish, over the next couple of months, reflections of Sisters who spent time there over the decades. We have also dipped into the treasure trove of our Archives and found some wonderful photos to share.
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When I arrived in Korea in 1970, Korea was on the cusp of recovering from a devastating war, 1950 to 1953, which had divided the country into North and South. Because medical facilities were almost non-existent, at that time, the Columban Sisters set about providing medical facilities. They established clinics as well as a hospital and nursing school where nurses were trained. As a result, the focus of our ministry was meeting the medical needs of the sick poor who attended the clinics and hospital. Of course, this was made possible only through the generosity and dedication of our benefactors who have been central to supporting our mission in all its aspects down through the years.
Meanwhile, economic prosperity became evident and Korea’s medical facilities developed and expanded. For us, as missionaries the signs of the times led us to reflect on our role within this new reality. The changing face of the Korean Mission presented other challenges that called us to respond, in creative, inclusive and relational ways such as seeing justice and peace as an integral part of mission, the equality and dignity of women and care for our common home.
I felt drawn to working with women who were trafficked into the sex industry to entertain the U.S. military, in camp towns. I wondered what I could do to repay the debt we owe to women and children who are coerced into the sex industry? I began by visiting the camp towns and meeting with the women. As I reflected on what I was told in the light of Jesus’ mission to proclaim release to captives… to let the oppressed go free (Luke 4: 18) I thought we must find a way to liberate women from sexual enslavement. To do so women’s rights must be seen as human rights. The fact that women and children can be trafficked for the purposes of the sex industry is, an indication that the violation of women’s and children’s rights are not taken seriously. The call I heard in Korea to work with women trafficked into the sex industry continues to resound throughout the world.
Pope Francis calls human trafficking “a deep and open wound in the body of Christ and humanity which affects each one of us.” During this year, which Pope Francis has declared a jubilee year with the theme: “Pilgrims of Hope” let us deepen our hope in a special way for all people who are trafficked and enslaved in order to recover lost hope. We also need political will that will be in line with the principals of the Jubilee year to liberate captives … and to let the oppressed go free.
Another aspect of our mission became evident in the fact that Columban Korean Missionaries are numbered among Korean missionaries throughout the world, in the fledgling mission sending Church. Today Columban Korean Missionaries are present in Myanmar, Pakistan the Philippines and Ireland.
I would like to conclude with the words of Pope Francis during his Christmas Mass, 2024 “The Jubilee calls us to spiritual renewal and commits us to the transformation of our world, so that this year may truly become a time of jubilation,” said Francis during his Christmas Eve mass.
Let us hope that we can sow seeds of hope in our world and bring hope to those burdened by loss of hope so that they can experience the joys of jubilation during this jubilee year.
Sr Teresa O’Connell
Mokpo, 1960s: Sister Juliana O’Neill helps prepare Kimchi
