Embracing Our Inheritance: Jubilee Reflections on Korean American Catholics (1966-2016)

Korean American Catholics are celebrating their jubilee after having been officially recognized by the Archdiocese of San Francisco in 1966. This occasion affords the flourishing Korean American Catholic community to take stock of their identity celebrate this milestone and prepare for the future. What does it mean to be a Korean American Catholic? What are their particular challenges and hopes? The works contained in this book articles written by leading Korean American scholars theologians and priests serve to answer those questions and pose new ones and lay down a marker that will surely one day be recognized as another significant one in the history of this growing voice in the United States religious landscape. This volume will introduce a wider public to what has been a little-known but important group in the Catholic Church in the United States: Korean American Catholics. They bring a distinctive story from their homeland and of their struggles in this country that is being woven into the multicultural tapestry of contemporary American Catholicism. For anyone wanting to understand this important group and the contributions they are making to the Catholic experience this book is the place to begin. --Robert Schreiter Author Constructing Local Theologies It was a blessing for me when I was appointed the bishop of Fort Worth and to experience the many cultural expressions of our Catholic faith. Among these was the parish of Korean Martyrs in Hurst Texas. This vital cultural expression of our Catholic faith certainly has expanded for me since I was appointed the bishop of Orange and have been blessed with the friendship and faith of Korean Catholics in their parish communities and celebrations: such as the Korean Thanksgiving celebration which I was privileged to celebrate and preach at last year. All of these celebrations and prayer moments have widened my cultural and faith horizons very much and have been validated in Embracing Our Inheritance especially when Fr. Simon Kim notes that Korean American Catholics can become an important contributing part of a wider Christian body and certainly a participating member of the Mystical Body. As bishop of the Diocese of Orange where Fr. Kim is member of the presbyterate I am happy and proud to recommend his work for a thoughtful reflection and reading. --Kevin W. Vann Bishop of Orange Embracing Our Inheritance celebrates and honors the Korean American presence among us and contributes a valuable resource that will help all Catholics to better understand the pluriform experiences of our faith. There is reason to rejoice when a group of scholars reflect theologically upon the Korean American Catholic experience. This collection of stories and history enables everyone to share in that celebration! --Ricky Manalo Lecturer Santa Clara University The presence of Korean American Catholics in the American Church is growing strong but tends to go unnoticed. That is being rectified through this varied collection of essays. These Korean American scholars have made a valuable contribution by drawing attention to their presence and also adding to the overall study of American Catholicism. Their work will be useful to anyone interested in and concern with the diversity of the American Catholic experience. --Linh Hoang Associate Professor Chair of Religious Studies Siena College As a theologian of culture Simon C. Kim addresses cultural and generational needs of the faithful across the country. His latest publication A World Church in Our Backyard illustrates the development of ethnic faith groups in recent decades pioneering the way theological reflection is being done today. Francis Daeshin Kim works with Korean American Catholics throughout Southern California. Having lived in England prior to immigrating to the United States provides him with a unique perspective of integrating culture and faith.