Woori Theology Istitute, in collaboration with a Protestant research institute and a civic organization, held a book-talk in Seoul on March 8 to commemorate the publication of Democratization Movements and Protestantism in the 1970s and Democratization Movements and Catholicism in the 1970s, which documents the history of the democratization movements led by Protestant and Catholic communities in the 1970s. These books provide a vivid and multi-dimensional perspective on how the democratization movements of the 1970s, led by Protestant and Catholic groups, have kept the flame of democracy alive to this day.
At a time when terms such as martial law, rebellion, and coup d’état—once considered relics of the past—are resurfacing, placing democracy at risk once again, the two books aimed to offer hope to citizens who dreamt of a better society by thoroughly documenting the democratization movements of Protestant and Catholic communities in the 1970s. The authors of these books include researchers from WTI, the Institute for 3rd Era Christianity, and the Memorial Foundation for the Democratization Movement, who also participated as speakers at the event.
WTI has published the Spring 2025 issue of Catholic Review, the only magazine for Catholic intellectuals that has been continuously published for nearly a decade in the Korean Catholic Church. This issue features a special focus on the theme, “After Martial Law, What Kind of Democracy Should We Pursue?”
Additionally, the issue includes a tribute to the sudden passing of renowned Asian theologian Felix Wilfred. This tribute was translated into Korean with the help of his disciple, Patrick Gnana, head of the Department of Christian Studies at the University of Madras in India. As a Catholic priest, Wilfred maintained a deep collaborative relationship with WTI and ALL Forum for over 20 years, having been invited more than ten times as a speaker at theological conferences and youth training workshops held across Korea and various Asian countries.
