1. The assumption of the 266th pope Francis
On the 28th February, the predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI resigned. It's the first time in 2000 years of church history that the pope announced the voluntary resignation. So by 5 papal conclaves of voting, Cardinal Jorge Mario, Bereugo Glinda from Argentina were elected Pope on the 13th March. It's first time in 1282 years that a pope from non-European comes and the pope from America is a first in Roman Catholic history. The pope Francis who attracted global attention with his frugality, easiness, and unconventional move etc. was chosen as the person of the year in 2013 by US newsweekly 'Time'.
2. 'Christian Olympic Games', the general meeting WCC was held in Busan.
World Council of Churches(WCC), the general meeting in Busan called Christian Olympic Games was held from October 30th to November 8th. The conference held in 7 years, being estimated about 8,500 people on behalf 349 denominations gathered, was recorded as the largest ever. And the point that Pentecostalism and the evangelical right of the world supported hosting this session strongly became a meaningful achievement for conforming Korean church. Also, In this meeting, the statement about a new mission policy, peace and reunification of the Korean Peninsula, and the consensus of Christian was adopted. Meanwhile, opposition rally was held several times and then tension atmosphere was formed.
3. A big growth of Shincheonji church in religion world
Shincheonji church of Jesus the temple of the tabernacle of the testimony (Shincheonji, Chairman Man-hee Lee) has shown such a big growth this year again. Celebrating the 30th anniversary this year, Shincheonji, declaring the year of completion of 144,000, created over 24,000 graduators per year at the completion ceremony of Zion Christianity Center. Also Man-hee Lee, the Chairman, has been giving a message of the end of war, World peace, and integration of world religion to the world through the achievement of the movement of eastern to western and southern. He stressed that people should participate to the movement of World peace -signing the international law about the end of war, -Joining the groups for women and ,-being a member of IPYG(International Peace Youth Group).
4. The Ven. Ja Seung is elected the 34th director of managers.
The Ven. Ja Seung(59) succeeded to serve consecutive terms by being elected the 34th director of managers of Korean Buddhist Jogye Order, the biggest sect in Korea. He elected in the election for the director of managers in October 10th was recorded as the first director of managers who succeeded to serve consecutive terms since the reform of the Jogye sect in 1994. He said "It's a result of gathering the will of sectarians hoping to spur pure climate, the sustainable growth of Order, a harmonious development with parishes on being elected. Last year, even though, he expressed his intention about giving up a second term, being responsible for events like Baegyangsa gambling scandal, he reversed the promise and was promoted as a party candidate of Buddhism's Square and then bought a controversy.
5. 'The battle to the truth', the suspicion of corruption and adultery of a pastor Cho Yong-gi
The suspicion of corruption associated with the senior pastor Cho family of Yoido Full Gospel Church and the suspicion of his adultery have been raised. So the battle to the truth on it is intense. Last month, some elders of Yoido Full Gospel Church held a press conference and disclosed there was corruption of the billions of dollars in the family that has Cho Yong-gi, Kim Sung-hee, Cho Hee-jun, Cho Min-jae, Cho seung-jae. In addition, in regard to Pastor Cho, they raised the suspicion that he had an adultery with Jeong Gwi-seon during his missionary work days in France. While the contents of her novel, Madame Butterfly of Paris was released, the suspicion got amplified. And as MBC PD notebook dealt with these allegations this month, the debate was spread more. Cho's side is denying all the contents.
6. Buddhist Priest of High Position in Jogye Order, Gambling Exposed
Former senior vice-president Jang-ju Monk (former chief of Oeosa Temple) of the Central Jogye Order opened a press conference on July and exposed suspicion of overseas expedition convention gambling of 16 high positioned monks of the Jogye Order, which gave shock to Buddhism. This news caused a great stir in society. The Jogye Order immediately issued a statement refuting that it is an untrue claim with no evidence. The Religion Defense Department, an inspection organization, underwent procedures to remove Jang-ju Monk from the religious order under the disciplinary action of expulsion, which is becoming a controversy. However, the Prosecution Department is investigating the suspicion of high-stakes gambling of the high positioned monks. Buddhist sanction organizations are requesting for accurate and swift investigation by the Prosecution Department and demanding reformation to the religious order.
7. The Christian Council of Korea at the Center of Controversy
Early this year, the Christian Council of Korea (representative chairman, pastor Hong Jae-chul) decided to remove Darakbang (Mark’s Upper Room) Church and pastor Ryu Gwang-su from the list of cults, along with Pyungkang Cheil Church and elder pastor Park Yoon-sik. These decisions brought forth opposition from the religious world. The General Assembly of Presbyterian Church in Korea, the largest religious order of the Christian Council of Korea, seceded from the Council, along with Kosin Presbyterian Assembly. Also because of the passing of the revised bill to serve consecutive terms of 2 years, the Council and chairman Hong are standing at the center of controversy in the religious world. Pastor Hong says that if he is elected as chairman once more, he will promote unification with the Communion of Churches in Korea.
8. Catholic Church 2013 World Youth Day in Brazil
The 2013 World Youth Day was opened from July 23rd to the 28th in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In this World Youth Day, 250 million young people from all over the world participated and this opened a place of consensus in the faith. This event received worldwide attention because it was opened in Brazil, the country with the largest Catholic population, and it was attended by Pope Francis, after his rise to power. Pope Francis requested the young Catholic believers to put effort into building a new world through spreading the gospel. Meanwhile, he also received attention through his thrifty and simple walking.
9. Buddhism 60th Anniversary of Ceasefire, Korean Peninsula Peace Convention
On September 27th, the day of world peace as assigned by the United Nations, the Korean Peninsula Peace Convention celebrating the 60th year anniversary of ceasefire was opened in Main Stadium of Busan Asiad. Director of managers Ja-seung Monk said in the Bongheng Temple that the end of war in the history of humanity is the greatest compensation to the countless people who died through war and that through this convention, we must set the cornerstone for the realization of world peace. The Korean Peninsula Peace Convention was a place of longing for sustainable peace structure beyond the borders of religion, region, nationality, and ideology not only between the Korean peninsula and Northeast Asia but also the whole world.
10. Policy of Taxation on Religious People, the Religious World Voices Uprising
The government’s revised bill of taxation law enforcement ordinance called ‘taxation policy of religious people’ has become a hot issue in the religious world. The government’s policy is that all religious people must pay tax just as the general public. However, there is difficulty in enforcing this law or related laws because of the intense debate of acceptance or denial by the religious people. The conservative protestant side showed a strong position of disapproval to the tax law by releasing a state of affairs proclamation and pressurized the political community. The revised bill was passed through the Cabinet council and is planned to be in effect in early of this year. However, it wasn’t approved by the National Assembly. The reason being is that the different views on specific income articles have not been organized.
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