Korean diocese begins building center for immigrants

It will be a multi-cultural space where they can share their cultures with local people Korean diocese begins building center for immigrants

Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon of Uijeongbu and members of the Lighthouse of Asia construction committee cut a ribbon
at the groundbreaking ceremony of the multicultural center March 12. (Photo by The Catholic Times of Korea)

 

Uijeongbu Diocese has begun construction of the 'Lighthouse of Asia' where immigrants and South Koreans can mutually share their cultures.

 

The migrant pastoral committee of Uijeongbu Diocese on March 12 held a Mass and ground-breaking ceremony for the construction of the migrants' cultural center at Bongilcheon Church in Paju, in South Korea's northern Gyeonggi province.

 

Bishop Peter Lee Ki-heon said during his Mass homily, that he hoped the center will be a place where people find comfort and feel happiness.

 

"Korea's beautiful tradition of loving neighbors and the practice of sharing will be revived in this center," said Bishop Lee.

 

Currently, migrant centers in the country play a role teaching Korean language and culture plus providing material support. Going one-step further, the Lighthouse of Asia will be a multi-cultural space where migrants and Koreans can share their cultures and interact.

 

The diocese formed a committee in 2014 to begin preparations for the construction of the center, which was designed by award-winning architect Cho Min-suk on a volunteer basis.

 

The center will house offices, a room for Eucharistic adoration, a rectory, a clinic, lecture rooms and multi-purpose rooms.