A little slice of diversity in Hannam-dong

Irish Ambassador Michelle Winthrop

As ambassadors, we are accustomed to moving in diverse circles. In Seoul, the diplomatic corps includes representatives from 116 bilateral and 30 multilateral missions. Every day, we see our friends and colleagues from a variety of regions and cultures. Indeed, it takes 27 hours to fly between our respective capitals, Dublin and Port Moresby, and yet our daily lives here in Seoul are not so dissimilar.

However, as a foreigner living in Seoul, the daily experience is not always characterized by cultural diversity. Like Ireland 30 years ago, society can still seem culturally and ethnically homogenous. It’s really great to immerse yourself in Korean culture and language, but sometimes "oegukgin" (Korean for foreigner) crave a bit of exposure to different cultures.

In Hannam-dong, there is a small Catholic church which celebrates and showcases diversity. As regular attendees, both of us have experienced the warm embrace of the community contained within the inconspicuous red-brick building just by the bus stop on Hannam-daero.

Ambassador Helen Aitsi

The St. Francis Catholic International Parish of Seoul was established on this site in 1985. Since then, they have run Masses regularly in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, as well as in Korean, of course, servicing the different language communities of this vast city. Under the gentle guidance of Fr. Joseph Sanghwan and Fr. Giancarlo Faldani, and with the support of a diverse and enthusiastic group of volunteers, this welcoming space has become a home away from home for people of many diverse nationalities.

So why is this place so special?

Well the amazing choir gives our talented African brothers and sisters a chance to showcase their famous musicality. We have welcomed priests as guests from all over, most recently from the United States. Whenever we have a special Mass, or a celebration of a blessed sacrament, parishioners step it up a notch in terms of showcasing their national dress. A number of years ago, some of our parishioners lost family members in a tragic fire, and the community rallied around to donate practical items and money.

At Christmas, parishioners were invited to cook their national cuisines for our charity fundraising party. The menu that day said it all: to-die-for Indian biriyani, yummy Austrian lentil soup, Italian pasta and spicy West African pepper soup. The parish has a regular program of activities to provide pastoral care, counselling and practical supports to migrant workers in Pyeongtaek and Ansan in Gyeonggi Province.

Each Sunday, we finish Mass by asking newcomers to introduce themselves, even if they are only with us for a short time. People turn up from all around the globe.

What is truly wonderful about our little haven of diversity in Seoul is the number of ordinary Koreans who have chosen to join the community. Some have lived overseas and many are married to foreigners. Many simply choose to spend time among people with different backgrounds.

Both of us have seen our families be embraced by this special community — whether it’s a parent who finds solace in the parish’s rhythm of activities, or a child who has made friends from catechism class and serving on the altar. We both enjoy the regular interaction with ordinary folks from all walks of life that coming to the church gives us. A chance to step out of ambassador shoes for a while, and just be a regular parishioner.

This week is Holy Week, and we are approaching the celebration of Easter. This is a good time to remember that tolerance, openness to different cultures and community spirit are universal values, for people of all faiths and none. Each of us comes to the Catholic International Parish with our own traditions, talents and contributions. There is one important principle, however. Everyone is welcome, no matter who you are or where you have come from. We are bound by our affection for this little community we have built, united in prayer.

As the Korean government looks for opportunities to promote diversity, and encourage acceptance of difference among ordinary Koreans, they need look no further than some of the international faith communities in the city, the St. Francis Catholic International Parish among them. Here cultures, traditions, generations, languages and walks of life all coexist in beautiful harmony, much like a well-sung Easter hymn.

Michelle Winthrop has been serving as the ambassador of Ireland to the Republic of Korea since 2022. Helen Aitsi is the ambassador of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea to the Republic of Korea. She arrived in Seoul in 2024 to fulfill the role.