The Role of Religions for Peace Realization－Focused on the Ascetic Practice of Catholicism－

ABSTRACT

This is very important transition period for Korea domestically and externally. In this time and in this society the role of religions for the peace realization has relatively big importance more and more. Especially Catholicism has the role of peace-maker in ad-hoc society of crisis. It is necessary to dig out academically such kind of religious task. Catholicism operates the mission of peace realization which Korean society inevitably needs. With the awareness about that context I want to find out the role and meaning of ascetic practice of Catholicism from the viewpoint of inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. This kind of work has enormous efficiency for the realization of peace in a society with religious pluralism like Korea. If we match the role of Catholicism as preserver of social spirituality and at the same time as realizer of peace in the national community, we could find out the root of hope about peace-realization, expecting in the context of inter-religious dialogue and cooperation. The re-discovery of such basis would present the frame or paradigme for religious peace education that reconfirms the cultural tradition in human society where human beings manage their life with fellow living creatures.