A Study on the Utilization of Catholic Cultural Resources in Naepo Area

Abstract

‘Religion has been associated with human history and has created a unique culture of a nation as a factor that has a great impact on human life. Therefore, the ratio of religious cultural heritage is absolutely high among existing world cultural heritage. Although there are many religious cultural heritage in Korea, these cultural resoures are not utilized in various ways. Religious cultural resources can be used for missionary work and they can also be used for cultural contents aspects in various ways. In particular, the religious cultural contents should be something that not only religious people but everyone in the nation can understand and sympathize in terms of cultural contents aspect. In terms of psycho-cultural aspects, religious and cultural contents can also be utilized for relaxation, healing, and humanistic education for modern people. The values pursued by religions such as respect for life, love and peace can be used for humanistic education, which is an important part of the realization of the public good. Naepo area was the center of the Catholic faith in the late Joseon Dynasty and many martyrs were dispatched during the era of persecution. Therefore, there are many sacred places and materials related to martyrdom. It was an area which was considered to be a good place to live in Joseon Dynasty, both geographically and economically. Such conditions became factors for the Catholic faith to spread easily and settle in the nation. For this reason, I examined the Catholic history and the cultural resources of Naepo area and tried to find out how to utilize them. To do this, I suggested humanistic education that relates to the natural resources in the bay area, and developing web services that relates to the cultural resources in Naepo. Through this study, I look forward to the revitalization of the local and religious culture in Naepo.