The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-12-28
New Britain Priest
 Returns From Korea
Rev. Leo N. Sweeney Describes Progress of Chris
 tianity and Elimination of IdOIatry

1kVAkAC AAtGk AAC9oAA1 ~ JCe4A0 eSS NS Maryknoll missionary in Korea, Rev. Leo M. Sweeney of New Britain this morning described the progress made by Christianity in that coun- try. Father Sweeney is well known to hundreds of Waterburians having been guest of the Holy Name society of St. Francis church and other Catholic organizations here in his last trip home.
 About 60 years ago, thousands of Korean Catholics died under the persecution of Tai Tai Koun, at that time prince regent of Korea, rather than renounce their faith. At the close of the persecution, Tai Tai Koun caused to be erected a huge granite tablet in the public park of Pengyang upon which Is incrihed the statement that 1t commentaries the fact that Christianity had been extirpated from Korea. This year, more than 5000 Korean Catholics, commemorating the 150th anniver- sary of the bringing of the Catholic faith to Korea, gathered in the park and read the tablet which now stands as a monument to Tai Tai Koun'S futility. Korea now has more than 100000 Catholics.
 Vicar Delegate
 Father Sweeney is 8 vicar delegate in the prefecture of Penguang, Ko- req. He returned home on Christmas day. The office of vicar delegate in Korea corresponds to that of vicar general in the dioceses of this coun- try. In addition to his duties in this ofilce, Father Sweeney also is a member of 8 commission composed of two German priests, two French priests, two Korean priests and him. self, which is revising the Korean cathechism. Aided by one assistant, Father Posichal, Father Sweeney al-o attends to the duties of his par- ish which covers an area as large as the state of Connecticut and which requires two weeks to cover. Most of the travelling must be done by foot, many villages of his parish be- ing situated in the mountains, far from any road.
 About 2,200 Catholics reside in Father Sweeney's parish which in- cludeS one large city and Il villages. About 1000 Catholic children attend 8 parochial school conducted by the Maryknoll mission and free school also is conducted for the children of the poor. The mission primary school has been granted recognition by the government.
 Japanese Improve Korea
 Prior to the advent of the Japa- nese gaining control of the Korean government, most of the country was in condition about similar to that which had prevailed for thou sand years or longer. In the past 25 years, the Japanese have given Korea an efficient government, have extended the south Banchurian rail- road through Korea, have built ani maintained schools and made other improvements, Father Sweeney said. He commented that while the banditry situation in Korea about 30 years ago was worse, if anything, than that in China, the Japanese have eliminated this situation and that in this respect Korea possibly is safer than the United States. "One can travel safely anywhere in Korea and I can go out safely any, where in Korea and I can go out at night on a sick call and have no fear of a holdup," he commented.
 The Japanese government also displays a spirit of tolerance toward religion as about 60 years ago, Emperor Meiji of Japan issued de- cree of religious freedom through out the Japanese empire.
 The Maryknoll missions have to depend to d large extent upon friends and benefactors and need help to maintain catechists who aid the missioners in their labors. It al- so needs assistance to construct vitally necessary buildings, Father Sweeney remarked. He is enthusias. tic about the future of the Catholic church in Korea and believes that Korea will prove to be staunch as- set to Christianity.